A human rights advocacy group, “Avocats Sans Frontiers, France” also known as (Lawyers Without Borders) during the weekend,while training journalists in Benin, Edo state on Human Right Advocacy and “promoting the United Nations Convention Against Torture”(ProCAT) admonished that media workers fight against torture and human right violation.
The two days event, which drew journalists across media houses in Edo State was on “Fundamental Human Rights”; Promoting Human Dignity-Salient Provisions of the United Nations Convention against Torture”; Accountability of Perpetrators of Human Rights Abuses under the Anti-Torture Acts 2017″ among others.
Speaking, the facilitator, Mrs. Edugie Amihere(Esq) said the training was designed for media workers, first to understand their rights, so that they can become human rights advocates, arguing that the Anti-torture Act(2017) is an important step in ensuring justice for victims of torture and curbing the practice of torture in Nigeria.
She stated that since 2009, ASF has been providing free legal services to victims of torture in Nigeria through their ProCAT project and that the organization believes that producing copies of the Anti-torture Act 2017 will create awareness amongst security agencies and the general public In the existence of this important legislation and to encourage its implementation. She also urged other states to follow the steps of Lagos State which have domesticated the Act
“Since,2009, ASFhas been providing free legal services to victims of torture in Nigeria through the ProCAT project and, the organization believes that by producing copies of the Anti-torture Act 2017, awareness will be created amongst security agencies and the general public of the existence of this important legislation and to encourage its implementation. I am, urging other states to follow the steps of Lagos State which have domesticated the Act. It is only when it has been domesticated that it can be enforced by every court in the State.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Patricia Iyomon(Esq) said Nigeria is never in want of good laws but lacks the will to Implement such good laws. She said everybody should stand up and speak against torture and human rights violations by security agents. According to her “human rights are those rights inherent in us as human and which cannot be taken away”, she maintained that the Nigerian constitution has guaranteed the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Also, highlighted was the “United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”(Adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984) which states that the “recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of members of the human family is the foundation for freedom, justice, and peace in the world and that those rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person.”
