NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA AND THE CHALLENGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION (2011-2015)
ABSTRACT
The concept of human rights is one which seems to be pertinent to almost, if not all sovereign states in the international system. Every person across the world is entitled to human rights. It has become a globally recognized and accepted notion that individuals possess certain definite political, civil, economic and social rights which governments have the duty and responsibility to protect and enforce such rights. Therefore the idea of human rights has relevance to all and sundry without distinction as regards race, ethnicity, color or language. The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria was established subject to the ratification of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution to foster the protection of human rights across the country.
This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Ancillary to the qualitative research design, the survey research instrument which the researcher used to obtain data is in-depth interview. The National Human Rights Commission headquarters in Abuja (Metro Office) was selected as the centre of analysis out of 23 offices of the Commission across the country. As such, 10 senior officials in the Human Rights Commission headquarter in Abuja were interviewed in order to retrieve relevant data and information concerning the study.
The result showed that the commission has stood by the reasons of its establishment to promote and protect the rights of Nigerian peoples especially in recent years and the years under review. According to findings too, the challenges of the Commission in its endeavor are insufficient funds, inadequate amenities for effective performance, insecurity of staff, ignorance and illiteracy concerning human rights education, and lack of respect for the commission’s awards (judgments) by both citizens and the government.
Finally, this study expressed the inalienability of human rights to every individual across the world and specifically the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria to foster human rights protection across the country. Having investigated the challenges facing the Commission in its endeavor, recommendations on how to address the identified challenges were given.
Keywords: Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Protection.