Human rights organisations and other stakeholders have called for stronger measures to protect human rights defenders from threats, intimidation and harassment.
They made the call in Kaduna at a technical working group meeting on the development of a Human Rights Defenders Protection Framework for Kaduna and the Northwest.
The meeting was organised by the Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peace-Building, with support from Spaces for Change and the Fund for Global Human Rights.
The Convener of the meeting, Dr Salaudeen Hasheem said; “human rights defenders faced several challenges while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, defenders advocated for the voiceless, stood up for vulnerable people and exposed corruption and other anomalies within society.
Dr Hasheem explained that some defenders and social commentators had recently faced political repression, including incarceration for speaking against perceived wrongdoing.
He said that; “the proposed framework would provide safeguards for people dedicated to protecting vulnerable and less privileged members of society.”
“Human rights defenders should not be labelled enemies of the state because they are also discharging their constitutional role,” he emphasised.
Dr Hasheem said various government instruments had sometimes been weaponised against defenders through digital surveillance, law enforcement and other measures.
The Convener further stated that a human rights defenders network had emerged from the engagement to serve as a platform for escalating cases.
He expressed hope that the framework would eventually become an Act of the Kaduna State House of Assembly and be adopted across the Northwest.
Dr Hasheem said “the group would engage the Conference of Speakers, Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders to advance the proposed framework.”
“The initiative was particularly important ahead of elections, when human rights defenders could face increased targeting,” he said.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Rabi Salisu described the initiative as timely and important for strengthening government strategies.
