The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres has called on nations to unite in defending human rights, warning that fundamental freedom is under mounting pressure worldwide.
Delivering Guterres’ message in Abuja on World Human Rights Day, the UN Human Rights Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Tall, said the UN chief described human rights as “a philosophical and political breakthrough which every person must strive for.”
He stressed that civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights remain inalienable, indivisible and interdependent and warned that recent years have brought a shrinking of civic space.
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The Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu said the celebration also commemorates the commission’s 30 years of service to humanity since its establishment in 1995.
Despite Nigeria’s security, political and socio-economic challenges, Ojukwu said the nation’s commitment to protecting rights remains strong.
He added that the spirit of the gathering reflects the timeless mission of promoting, protecting and enforcing human rights for all.