From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has disclosed plans to organize a Presidential Town Hall meeting on human rights based issues for the 2023 presidential candidates of the various political parties.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, disclosed this on Wednesday at the NHRC and Civil Society Organization Forum organized by the Commission to mark the 2022 International Human Rights Day, with the theme,” Dignity, Freedom and Justice For All.”
He explained that the proposed presidential town hall meeting would not be the regular one where only issues bordering on the economy and security are discussed, but key human rights issues affecting the country would be the focal point.
“This is not the regular town hall meeting that people know, where presidential candidates go and talk about their manifestoes, on economy, security etc. No! We want to make human right an issue
” What that means is that political office holders must advert their minds on human rights that concern the country as well. It is not only about economy and security
“So this presidential town hall meeting is going to guage the pulse of presidential candidates on what they think about key human rights issues like prison congestion; peaceful protest; participation of women in politics; social gender based violence; disobedience to court orders and all these key human rights issues that nobody is talking about.
” So, we think that this should also be part of what our leaders should be talking about. That is the essence of the town hall meeting.” OJukwu clarified.
The NHRC boss noted that beyond the Commission’s statutory mandate to work with civil society and other partners, the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders is at the heart of human rights promotion and protection nationally, regionally and globally.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen had in her speech at the forum, called for an increased efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights of the vulnerable group of the society.
The minister further called on the justice system to address cases of rape and gender based violence, which she said, are on the increase on daily basis.
She lamented the way and manner women and the girl-child are being abused in the country and enjoined Civil Society Organizations to step up the fight against violation of people’s fundamental rights.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has engaged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
Chairperson of the governing board of the Council, Dr Salamatu Husseini Suleiman who stated this in her speech at the occasion said, “The Commission, by this event, is engaging the civil society community which are recognized as key players in the promotion human rights.
“CSOs are regarded as essential building blocks for development and national cohesion through sustained campaigns and advocacy for worthy causes”, she said and adding that CSOs play multiple roles in the society as they serve as repository of information, monitor government policies and actions and demand accountability from government
According to her, civil society organisations are considered as watchdogs who monitor compliance with human rights and social norms and that, the Commission is engaging the CSOs, as a major step in promoting and protecting human rights and achieving its mandate, as well as realizing its goals and objectives as outlined in its Strategic Work Plan.
“This way, we can provide a clear, high level and enduring framework for the development of a human rights agenda for our dear nation in the days and months to come”, she said and further noted that, the NHRC/CSOs forum is expected to achieve improved mutual understanding and trust building.
