Yemisi Izuora/Ijeoma Agudosi
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has appraised the level of human rights abuses in Nigeria and came to the conclusion that despite the tensed situation arising from upcoming election, there seem to be no case (s) of high handedness by security agents.
The CLO also observed that political clampdown on the opposition as well as politically motivated torture, detention and Killing have not been obvious.
Addressing the media in Lagos as the election approaches, the CLO however observed that the current improvement in the country’s human rights profile began during the administration of late President Umar Yar’Adua.
President of the organisation Igho Akeregha during the conference said though there is room for improvement and consolidation of the human rights situation in Nigeria, there appear to be no deliberate effort by the present administration to muscle the opposition.
Akeregha said the federal government is encouraging freedom of association and expression through the entrenchment of democratic ideals and values in governance process.
“In the area of political assassinations, the country has witnessed remarkable progress as there is hardly the occurrence of the ugly incident.
The cases of Harry Marshal, Bola Ige, Funsho Williams, Dipo Dina, Daramola in Ekiti, Dr. Ogbonnaya Uche in Imo state and many others are sad reminders of the past” CLO observed.
It also noted that independence of the judiciary is now guaranteed and is now under the first line charge, pointing that the executive no longer interfere in the judicial processes and judges are freer and unfettered in the discharge of judicial functions.
Akeregha further added that Nigeria now enjoy more freedom of expression through the signing of the Freedom of Information Act into law while the democratic space is freer and more democratic.
“Opposition political parties have won elections and were congratulated by the ruling party as in the case of the governorship elections in Edo, Osun, Ekiti and Anambra, and Ondo states.
“CLO notes that the current federal government has observed the moratorium on the death penalty” he remarked but called on government to go a step further by completely abrogating the death penalty from the constitution.
The group also commended government for enhancing the political rights of women on the 35 percent affirmative action which has resulted in the appointment of more women in positions,
“A general perusal of the current human rights record becomes reassuring with the recent convocation of the National Conference which satisfied the yearnings of many Nigerians who have for long, agitated for a conference to discuss the national question.
The CLO however urge the federal government to immediately implement all resolutions and recommendations of the conference to make the process holistic and conclusive” Akeregha urged.