NHRC: Democracy, Human Rights Threatened by Social, Political, Economic Challenges

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decried that in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world there are numerous social, political, economic and conflict related challenges which have adversely affected democracy, peace and human rights, core values that deliver sustainable development and prosperity to all.

Delivering a keynote address at the celebration of Commonwealth Day yesterday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, while stating that the Commonwealth is a historic platform that promotes democracy, peace and human rights, core values that deliver sustainable development and prosperity to all, lamented that: “In many parts of the world today, we are faced with numerous social, political, economic and conflict related challenges which impacts on the attainment of the values which we celebrate here today.”

Ojukwu, who explained that the NHRC organised the commemoration of the Commonwealth Day because it shares in the values and beliefs of the Commonwealth, said this year’s commemoration with the theme: ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth’, creates a moment for reflection by members and citizens of the Commonwealth on the core values of peace, democracy and human rights which are the foundation upon which this very unique institution is built.

He said: “The commemoration also provides the opportunity to recommit ourselves to achieving these ideals and to advance cooperation towards achieving the goal of the Commonwealth – unity, peace, progress and prosperity of nations which recognises diversity, human dignity and a sustainable future.

“The National Human Rights Commission identifies today with the ideals and purpose of the Commonwealth, and join all member states to celebrate the Commonwealth on this special occasion. As Nigeria’s premier National Human Rights Institution, we want to use this auspicious occasion to promote one of our main mandates, which is national and international cooperation for the advancement of human rights.”

Ojukwu said despite climate change, insecurity, undemocratic interferences to hunger, inequalities, conflicts of diverse classifications, among many others with attendant consequences on the enjoyment of human rights, an environment of peace and sustainable development, “in the midst of this gloomy picture, lies a bright hope that coming together as nations and peoples we can chart a course that can bring us to dialogue on ways we can improve upon our society and create an environment that will advance the course of the wellbeing of humanity this lies at the background of the unique opportunity presented by this event.”

He noted further that: “This year’s theme is unique as it focuses on the challenges we face as a people. Building resilience is a developmental imperative through which nations and people drive through common challenge through cooperation and belief. Through resilience we can build a common future that will birth to us the commonwealth of our dreams. This we can achieve through collaborations and mutual support among us in harnessing our unique strengths in facing headlong, the monsters challenging our world. Recognising the complexities we face; we cannot record success without a coordinated effort in finding lasting solutions to achieve sustainable development goals.”