2023 Campaigns: Commission urges Political Parties to protect Human Rights

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

The Executive Secretary Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN, made the call during the official launch of a project tagged ‘Mobilising Voters for Election’  “MOVE”, in Abuja.

The project is supported by the Ford Foundation and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to the Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria, political parties could choose to focus on education, health care, and food security among others, which are critical human rights issues confronting the county.

Mr. Ojukwu 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 and rather, focused on credible polls.

He said the Commission will ensure that any person, group, institution, or law enforcement agency found wanting in any of the processes before, during, and after the elections accounts for his actions or inactions as the case may be.

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

He noted that the scenario has reflected voter apathy, which is against the whole essence of democracy.

Mr. Ojukwu said the Commission has opened Hate Speech Registers across its 36 state offices to ensure that individuals and institutions indulged in hate speech are brought to book.

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 noted this will be achieved by collaborating with the Office of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Offices of Honourable Attorneys General of the states to hand over reports and findings of the Commission on hate speech for further action.

Dominica Nwabufo