PRAWA Urges FG to Implement UN Law Against Torture
A Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has called on the Nigerian government to live up to its responsibility by ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the laws on torture as recommended by the United Nations, UN, Committee Against Torture (CAT).
Recall that the Federal Government despite series of engagements is yet to comply with the obligation to the Convention Against Torture by sending its report to the Committee in accordance with Article 19 of the Convention Against Torture Treaty.
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Addressing journalists at a Consultative workshop for Government Agencies on the Report of the UN committee against torture, in Abuja, on Thursday, in Partnership with international rehabilitation council for torture victims (IRCT), the Executive Director (PRAWA) Dr. Uju Agomoh stressed that ‘there were three major reports required by the secretariat of the committee against torture, which Include report from the federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Human Rght Commission and also the civil society organizations’.
According to her, “It is quite disheartening that obligation to report the progress in terms of implementation has not been done in the past 20 years, however, as UN committee had provided recommendations.It is our obligations to strategize on effective implementation of the recommendations.
“Despite Nigeria’s failure to contribute in the document, it is adviced that the Government should reel out mechanism to achieve the recommendations or further seeks other international bodies rather than claiming denial of the report.
On her part, Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Professor Jummai Audi, said: “Am aware that government is now dealing with lots of issues, yet the Report should be given a prompt attention to assist the society facing such menaces.
“Criminals are unfolding several methods in executing their crimes while police can be overwhelmed in dealing with it.”
She however added that Civil society organisations must support the government in bridging the gap and harmonised the recommendations for collective gain.
