NHRC to confer on FG Agencies, State Governments, CSOs 2021 Human Rights Award

NHRC to confer on FG Agencies, State Governments, CSOs 2021 Human Rights Award

By: Michael Mike, Abuja

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is set to confer on federal government agencies, state governments and civil society organisations the year 2021 National Human Rights Award.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu the awards would be given on December 10, 2021 as part of activities slated for the 2021 International Human Rights Day.

Ojukwu, while stating that the members of the public are expected to select from the list of nominations through voting for their preferred choices, noted that the awards are in three categories; federal government agencies, state governments and civil society organisations.

He disclosed that the indicators for selecting deserving MDAs for the award include: the impact of the MDA’s work in the enjoyment of human rights in Nigeria; the level of compliance of the MDA to court judgements; the degree of accessibility of the MDA services to the public; the extent to which the MDA complies with the 5 percent employment ratio of persons with disability; and the impact of the MDA’s work or contributions in promoting social justice and eliminating discriminatory attitudes and practices.

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He said the indicators for selecting deserving state governments would however be on their outstanding performance in the improvement of education, health, housing, payment of workers’ salaries and prompt payment of gratuity and pension, protection of vulnerable groups, protection of the rights of women, girls and children, especially sexual and gender based violence, among others.

Ojukwu disclosed that civil society organisations will be selected among others on the following criteria, which include the impact of the CSO’s work in improving the understanding and respect for human rights in Nigeria; the impact of the CSO’s work in eliminating social injustice as well as discriminatory practices; the risk and negative consequences faced by the CSO in carrying out its work; the amount of time and resources spent by the nominee in carrying out its work; and the risk of negative consequences faced by the nominee in the course of its work.

He said social media platforms will be used by experts to request members of the public to vote for deserving candidates, with voting done online and will commence on  November 12, 2021 and end on November 22, 2021 and the winner of the votes cast by the public will receive their awards on December 10, 2021.

The scribe said: “We have dedicated a special web domain for public voting and the online process of voting is a demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to public participation and transparency in the whole exercise. The domain address is www.nhrcawards.ng.”

NHRC to confer on FG Agencies, State Governments, CSOs 2021 Human Rights Award