At the 41st Ordinary Session
of the
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights,
held in Accra, Ghana.
The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria was established in 1996 by the National human Rights Commission Act of 1995. The Commission has a broad mandate for the promotion and protection of all human rights. The Commission, in exercise of its mandate, investigates all human rights violations in Nigeria, conducts research in human rights issues, publish its reports regularly and makes public statements when appropriate, assists victims of human rights in seeking redress and remedies, participates in international human rights activities, cooperates with local and international non governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations, etc.
- Nigeria’s National Institution has participated in the ordinary session of the African Commission since 1996 till date and was granted Affiliate Status by the African Commission in 2002 having complied with requirements.
- Nigeria is the current Chair of the Coordinating Committee of African National Institution (CCANI) having been so elected in 2005.
- Nigeria is also a full member of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions (ICC) in category "A". Nigeria is a member of the Accreditation sub-committee of ICC representing the African region.
- The Nigerian National Institution carries out regular periodic auditing of all detention facilities in Nigeria. It makes recommendations to government to carry out changes where necessary.
- The Commission also engages in legislative advocacy, which resulted in the domestication of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), now known as the Child’s Rights Act (CRA).
- The commission, along with local NGOs and relevant government institutions, is at advance stages of ensuring the domestication of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
- The Commission is also part of a broad collation of human rights defenders advocating for the passage by the National assembly of the Freedom of information (FOI) Bill.
- The Commission trains judicial officers on human rights generally and in particular in ensuring observance of human rights principles in justice delivery with due regards to gender.
- The Commission, for the first time, observed the conduct of security agencies during the just concluded general elections in Nigeria. Its reports would be ready and made public soon.
- The commission has moved into a permanent headquarters complex with facilities for the physically challenged. The Commission also broadened access to its services by placement of pro forma complaints format on is website and establishment of telephone hotlines for round the clock access.
The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria reiterates its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria, in Africa and indeed universally. The Commission wishes to state that it would continue to cooperate with African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at all times.
Thank you.
