Connect with us

News

2023 General Election: NHRC Tasks Political Parties on Hate Speech

Published

on

2023 General Election: NHRC Tasks Political Parties on Hate Speech

2023 General Election: NHRC Tasks Political Parties on Hate Speech

By Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the various political parties in Nigeria to ensure that human rights protection is made a critical component of their campaign promises rather than indulging in hate speech to tarnish the image of their opponents.

A statement signed by the spokesperson of the commission, Fatimah Mohammed
noted that It is a common knowledge that countries are globally rated in terms of their accomplishments in human rights protection of citizens, insisting that therefore it will be unthinkable for our political parties to neglect human rights issues and belabour the polity with name calling and hate speech before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

The statement quoted the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu to have the call on the parties during the official launch of a project tagged “MOVE”, meaning Mobilizing Voters for Election. The project is supported by Ford Foundation and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to Ojukwu, political parties could choose to focus on education, health care, food security etc, which are critical human rights issues confronting the county.

He therefore urged Nigerians particularly those directly or indirectly involved in the 2023 general elections to desist from hate speech and conduct capable of frustrating human rights focused and credible polls.

He warned that the Commission will ensure that any person, group or institution; be it politician, political party, Independent Electoral Elections Commission or law enforcement agency found wanting in any of the processes before, during and after the elections will account for his actions or inactions as the case may be, he stated.

The Executive Secretary also expressed concern over “The retrogressive pattern of voter participation in 2011, 2015 and 2019 general elections reaching to a historical low of 35% in the 2019 elections, which is not in the interest of democracy and human rights.

According to him , the above scenario has reflected voter apathy, which is obviously antithetical to the whole essence of democracy which is promoted and reinforced by periodic and credible elections.

Similarly, he recalled how the three elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007 were trailed with complaints of irregularities ranging from logistical failures, disenfranchisement to electoral fraud of all kinds, saying that such challenges had over the years occasioned the unfortunate voter apathy which is being witnessed in recent elections in the country.

He said in order to ensure that errant persons and institutions during the general elections are brought to book, the Commission has opened a Hate Speech Register across its 36 state offices and that the register is manned by Members of staff of the Commission designated as Hate Speech Registrars in the states.

He revealed that the Registrars will track hate speech in print, electronic and social media platforms preparatory to inviting culprits to a panel of inquiry that will be set up in due course to interrogate such hate speech and related cases.

Ojukwu, however, clarified that the Commission does not have prosecutorial powers and as such will leverage on the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Offices of Honourable Attorneys General of the states to handover reports and findings of the Commission on hate speech for further action.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Gunmen kill one, abduct two women in Kano

Published

on

Gunmen kill one, abduct two women in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men have killed one person and abducted two women in Kwanar Dangora community, Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State.

Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday when the hoodlums, in large numbers and armed with dangerous weapons, invaded the residence of one Alhaji Ibrahim at Kwanar Dangora.

According to sources, the assailants abducted the two wives of the victim, identified as Safara’u Ibrahim and Attine Ibrahim.

“In the process, one Abdul Usman, 27, of the same address, was shot dead by the attackers.

“Scene of the incident was visited, the corpse was released to his relatives for burial.

“Investigation has commenced and efforts are being intensified to rescue the victims unhurt, trace and arrest the culprits,”said sources.

Gunmen kill one, abduct two women in Kano

Continue Reading

Crime

Police investigate alleged rape of UNILAG student by lecturer

Published

on

Police investigate alleged rape of UNILAG student by lecturer

By: Zagazola Makama

The police in Lagos have commenced investigation into the alleged rape of a 20-year-old female student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, by a lecturer in the institution.

Sources said the survivor, identified as Owonifari Fiyinfoluwa, a 300-level student of the university, reported the matter to the police on Aug. 28.

“She alleged that on Aug. 22, at about 12 noon, her lecturer, Dr. Samuel Ojogbo, invited her into his office at the university and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

“A team of detectives visited the scene and the survivor was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” said the sources

The sources added that investigation into the case was ongoing.

Police investigate alleged rape of UNILAG student by lecturer

Continue Reading

News

Police arrest three among deadly gangs over killing of passenger in Plateau

Published

on

Police arrest three among deadly gangs over killing of passenger in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

The police in Plateau have arrested three notorious suspects in connection with the killing of a female passenger during an attack on a commercial motorcycle in Butura Kampani village, Bokkos Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred on Aug. 26 when gunmen attacked a motorcyclist, Mangut Matthew, and two of his female passengers, resulting in the death of one of the women.

“Following credible intelligence, three suspects have been arrested. They are Benjamin Daniel, a.k.a Allamis; Jerry Reuben; and Monday Darah, a.k.a Terror, all of Bokkos town.

“The suspects have made useful statements to the police, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and recover their operational arms,”said sources.

The sources assured that the command remained committed to ensuring the perpetrators of violent crimes in the state faced justice.

Police arrest three among deadly gangs over killing of passenger in Plateau

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights