The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the government and other duty bearers to show more commitments and solidarity towards protecting and supporting refugees.
This also include, migrants, Asylum seekers, stateless persons and internally displaced persons in order for them to rebuild their lives in dignity.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a media briefing to commemorate the 2024 World Refugees Day,
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Refugees Day is marked on June 20, annually.
NAN also reports that the day is marked to celebrate and honour refugees around the world and encourage the people, who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Ojukwu noted that refugees and other persons living in similar conditions deserve to be protected, bearing in mind that they were usually not the architects of their plights.
He added that they were victims of circumstances like insurgency, natural disasters, harsh economic conditions and human rights violations.
Ojukwu observed that the 2024 theme of the celebration, “Solidarity with Refugees” was a reminder to the fact that everyone needed support.
” A support and a home where basic needs for survival are met, not just a hostile environment which exposes one to different forms of human rights violations.
”There is need to build inclusive health systems and ensuring equitable care for refugees.
” It is imperative to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes or country against their wish due to conflicts or persecution” he said.
Ojukwu said it was necessary to map out solutions to resettle and help them to have a better livelihood.
” Nigeria has its fair share of this population of concern arising from communal clashes, banditry, farmers and herders’ clashes, Boko Haram among others ” he said.
According to Ojukwu, these have affected their rights to health care, education, employment, dignity of the human person, right to housing, land and property.
He added that, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), World Refugee Day was a time to shine a light on the rights, dreams of refugees.
Ojukwu stated that the celebration help to mobilise the political will and resources to enable the refugees enjoy a new lease of life.
” As at May 2024, the UNHCR gave Nigerian statistics figures of refugees as 71,728, with refugee returnees at 27,725 which indicated that the Nigerian government needed to focus their attention on the plight of refugees.
”This will bring the numbers of refugees to the barest minimum.
” I am using this occasion to reaffirm the Commission’s steadfastness in advocating for the rights of refugees .
” I am also calling on government and stakeholders to do more in the protection of refugees and ensure that they are safely returned to their communities.
”This is as enshrined in the Refugee Convention and Human Rights Treaties” he said. (NAN)
By Edith Nwapi
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