Nigeria has expressed commitment to addressing all forms of extrajudicial executions, irrespective of gender, race, religion and colour.
The Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Amb. Olusola Enikanolaye, said at UN Human Rights council 35th regular session on Wednesday in Geneva..
A statement by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Dr Clement Aduku, quoted the Permanent Secretary as saying said that the country always condemned such act and remained resolutely committed to taking every necessary measure to address any challenge in this regard.
He said Nigeria would also recognise the need for continuous training of the police and security forces, including capacity-building to enhance their duty of care and protection.
“Where they seldom occur, the Nigerian government is committed to full investigations and where necessary, prosecution of perpetrators so as to serve as deterrence to others.
“This serves as good example, among many initiatives, put in place by the Nigerian government.
“We, therefore, call upon state governments to put necessary mechanisms in place to uphold the right to life and prevent impunity by police and other security agents.”
Enikanolaye said the delegation took note of the Report by the Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Executions on the right to life.
“We share the view of the Special Rapporteur that arbitrary deprivation of life is bound to result from systemic discrimination.
“This condition needs to be improved to enable all people to enjoy equal rights to life.
“Similarly, deprivation of basic conditions that guarantee life, such as access to essential health care, could be considered a violation of the right to life.
“The Nigerian Constitution upholds every person’s right to life.”
According to him, Nigeria remains committed to taking further steps to ensure that the key elements of gender-sensitive perspective identified by the Special Rapporteur is properly addressed.
He added that the national disposition was with the view to strengthening comprehensive application of critical norms and standards related to the right to life, in accordance with national laws and international obligations.
“May I inform that the on-going review of the modus operandi of the security services and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 are some of the numerous policy measures aimed at addressing this challenge,” he said.
He explained that the right to peaceful assembly and association were inalienable rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and other domestic laws.
“We agree with the Special Rapporteur that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are essential components of democracy.
“On the right to education, Nigeria further notes the Special Rapporteur’s Report and holds the view that in general, education is an indispensable attribute of any modern and progressive society.
“It is also an ingredient, not only for enlightenment, but also for upward social mobility and the fulfillment of an individual’s potential, in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
He said that the delegation acknowledged the extensive work undertaken on non-formal means of education.
“We further acknowledge that non-formal education programmes provide flexible learner-centred means to improve education outcomes, and this could also help in the actualisation of SDGs.
Source – NAN