Human Rights Protection: NHRC to Monitor Nationwide Protests

Human Rights Protection: NHRC to Monitor Nationwide Protests

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced plans to deploy its officials to monitor the upcoming nationwide protests to ensure the adequate protection of the rights of the participants.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, stated that the right to protest is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended. However, he urged all parties involved to avoid actions that could endanger public safety, damage properties, or undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

Ojukwu criticized security agencies for asking protest organizers to seek and obtain permission, stating that the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that citizens do not require police permits to hold peaceful protests. He emphasized that the right to demonstrate and protest on matters of public concern is a fundamental right that should be exercised without impediment, as long as no wrongful act is committed.

The NHRC boss stressed that the commission will exercise its mandate to monitor the protests and ensure that the rights of the protesters are protected. He also called on the federal and state governments to uphold the fundamental rights and objectives of state policy enshrined in the Constitution, including facilitating peaceful assemblies and ensuring that protests are not disrupted by opposing parties or hostile forces.

Ojukwu, however, urged protest leaders to ensure that the demonstrations remain peaceful and avoid any provocative actions, such as carrying ATMs, hate speeches, attacks on law enforcement agencies, or looting of public and private properties.

Meanwhile, the NHRC said it would soon release the report of its investigation into alleged human rights violations of women in the North East region by security agents deployed to fight the insurgency. The investigative panel, headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Abdul Aboki, concluded its sitting on March 17, after interviewing about 190 witnesses and visiting various states in the region.

By PRNigeria