By Tony Adibe
As the world celebrates the 2022 International Hunan Rights Day, a non- governmental organization (NGO), the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has tasked the three organs of governments – the executive, legislature and judiciary- on the binding obligation to protect, respect, and remedy any violations in human rights.
NewsBits reports that the 10th of December every year is marked worldwide as International Human Rights Day in memory of the adoption of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first-ever declaration on the rights and freedom of all human beings that have become a springboard for constitutional and legal recognition of fundamental rights and freedoms all over the world. The 2022 Human Rights Day is themed: “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.”
The founder and Executive Director of WACOL TamarSARC and Girlswill, Professor Joy Ezeilo, said the theme encapsulated the standards enshrined in the UDHR and other legally binding human rights treaties that promote and protect all categories of human rights: civil, political, social, economic, and cultural.
Prof Ezeilo, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that citizens of Nigeria are yet to enjoy their human rights, including the basic right to life, healthcare and means for livelihood sustainability.
“The Constitutional reforms that should have made legally enforceable socio-economic rights espoused in chapter two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended have been stalled,” she observed.
She further stated that the admonition during the 1993 world conference on human rights held in Vienna, Austria to the effect that all human rights are universal, interrelated, interdependent and should be globally treated in an equal manner and on the same footing has been largely ignored as many Nigerians continue to wallow in poverty, food and human insecurity.
Ezeilo said: “WACOL appeals for the longest that if we are to guarantee the full enjoyment of all human rights then our socio-economic rights should be made justiciable and realizable.
“As an organisation, this year’s theme reminds us of our journey so far, the milestones and challenges we have encountered in our fight to protect human rights and promote justice for all, especially the most vulnerable in society.
“For more than two decades WACOL, has remained committed to its vision and goal of a democratic society free from violence where the human rights of all, in particular, women and children are protected and respected.
“In our just concluded 25 years anniversary celebration, we recognized the contributions of icons like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Justice Nnamani, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Joy Ezeilo, Rev. Surveyor Ugo Chime, Prof. Stella Okunna, H.E. Pauline Tallen, Oby Ezekwesili, Emeritus Professors Bolanle Awe and Obioma Nwaorgu,
“Others are, Mrs. Maureen Atuonwu, Miriam Menkiti, Funke Baruwa, Joy Onyesoh, Ene Obi, Tony Ojukwu, Igwe RSN Ezeh, Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny and a host of others to ensure a just and fair Nigeria where women and girls enjoy their human rights free from violence and gender-based discrimination.
“We also acknowledged the support of intergovernmental and international organisations like the United Nations and its various agencies, the Ford Foundation, Action Aid, MacArthur Foundation, the United Kingdom, ROLAC/ British Council, European Union, Switzerland, and the United States Governments towards building human rights culture, vibrant civil society, sustainable democracy, and development.”
The professor of public law and human rights Defender stressed that “It is imperative for all groups to unite and join the fight against injustice/violation of human rights.
Ezeilo, who is a professor of Public Law and human rights defender as well as a former UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, further stated: “All actors must intentionally work towards effective implementation of the human rights standards, especially the right to life, survival, and development and respect of the principles of equality and non –discrimination.
“All arms of Government (executive, legislative, and judiciary) and at different levels – national, state, and local – have an obligation to protect, respect, and remedy any violations of human rights.”
