WELLCOME OF CHIEF ANTHONY O. OJUKWU, OFR, SAN, FICMC THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AT THE WORKSHOP AND EXHBITION ON THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA ON TUESDAY 25TH JULY 2023 AT THE BUKHARI BELLO AUDITORIUM, NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HEADQAURTERS, ABUJA
Protocol
Introduction:
I am delighted to welcome everyone present here today to this Workshop and Photo exhibition on the Protection of Civilians and Human Rights in Nigeria. We want to thank the Centre for Civilians in Conflict and the European Union for their support to the hosting of this event. I also want to, on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission congratulate CIVIC on their 20th anniversary for which we are today launching a phot exhibition on the works of CIVIC in the North East.
This workshop is coming on the heels of recent upsurge in violence in the north east and north central parts of the country, added to the existing violence in the south east and north western regions. Sadly, according to UNDP, over 2 million people have been displaced and 300,000 killed during the over a decade Boko Haram conflict in the North East.
Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) places responsibility to protect on the government and its institutions. This provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the responsibility and ultimate goal of every government.
Nigeria is also a signatory to numerous treaties and convention in the real of international human rights and humanitarian law, beginning from the Universal Declaration to the Covenants on civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. Nigeria is also bound by the the 1949 Geneva Conventions; the 1977 Additional Protocols I and II to the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Convention against Torture; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. As a nation, Nigeria has domesticated some of the above instruments.
Protection of civilians in conflict from violence and human rights violations of all kinds remains a sacred duty of not only government but also non-state actors. It if for this reasons that the that the NHRC and other stakeholders have worked on, and submitted to the Federal Government, a draft Policy on the Protection of Civilians.
This policy is aimed at addressing all issues related to the protection, treatment and rehabilitation of civilians as well as remedial and accountability measures for perpetrators of violence and human rights violations.
The draft policy is applicable to:
the Nigerian government, including, but not limited to: the armed forces, security agencies, law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, and any other group conducting operations in conjunction with, on behalf of, or with the support of the government and (or) sub-national government during all armed conflicts, security operations, internal security operations and all military operations involving the use of force.
to all civilians and persons harmed by actors listed above.
civilians who have suffered harm perpetrated by non-state actors which shall be held accountable by government through the justice system, and in accordance with the provisions of this policy
The draft policy seeks to protect civilians in conflicts reduce and eliminate
reducing civilian harm through planning and early warning
assessment of civilian harm during and after operations
post harm acknowledgment and remedial service provision
We are hoping that in response to the upsurge in violence, that the new administration will approve this policy. The NHRC commits to playing a leading role in the implementation of this policy and to ensure that all stakeholders play their parts in the protection of civilians.
I am glad that the conversation along this line is being initiated at this workshop today with the array of talents and experts who have gathered here today. I am also glad that the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to show their readiness to work with us in this regards. This is exemplified by their presence today.
A major outcome of this workshop is the drafting of a policy brief on the Rights-based Approach to the Protection of Civilians in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Options which will serve as a roadmap for the new administration and heads of security agencies for the protection of civilians in Nigeria. I look forward to endorsing this policy brief and I call on the drafters to ensure wide consultation of experts and practitioners to guarantee acceptance and quality.
I thank you all for attending and wish us all, a successful workshop and exhibition.
