December 10 of every year is set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the human rights day. In Nigeria, the day was marked by all levels of government and civil societies among which was the Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON), ADEBISI ONANUGA reports
It is the civic responsibility of everybody to report sexual and domestic violations and rights abuses and not to shield such violators and perpetrators”, the Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olanreaju Apatira, has said.
He said those who unleash violence or abuse others do not mean well and should not be protected.
The Ikate-Itire LCDA chairman stated this in his address delivered during the commemoration of the 71st commemoration of the United Nations World Human Rights Day organised by Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) in collaboration with Surulere Local Government held at the council’s auditorium, Surulere.
The theme of this year’s commemoration of the day was: Promoting and Deepening Human Rights Culture.
The Itire-Ikate LCDA chairman who was represented by Dolamu Ahmed, said that the LCDA had keyed into the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to make the state ungovernable for those who violate and abuse the rights of others.
He urged residents of the area to join hands with the government to stamp out the menace to make the society a safe place to live in.
The Divisional Police Officer, Aguda Division Area Command, Elizabeth Opadola, a Superintendent of Police (SP), urged residents to report any criminal activity to the police for necessary investigation and prosecution.
Opadola said that in a situation where a community, family or relative was harbouring criminals or criminal act, such an act would have multiplier effects on the society and that such person would be treated as an accomplice to the suspect.
She said the society has no place for sexual abuse and domestic violence and warned those who she described as paedophiles to turn a new leaf failure of which they would have themselves to blame if caught.
“Ask about me from those who know me well, they would tell you I don’t compromise. If you are caught, you are in for a very long time”, she warned.
The Executive Director of CRIVIFON, Mrs Gloria Egbuji, in her remarks at the occasion said the foundation initiated and was the first to set up human rights desk in all police divisions in Lagos State Police Command and have consistently train men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force on human rights at Airport Command, Abia, Anambra and Enugu states.
She said CRIVIFON has assisted over 3,000 victims to date, ranging from rape, domestic violence, murder, human rights violation, fraud victims, victims of disasters and catastrophe among others.
Egbuji, who was represented by a senior facilitator and lawyer, Evaristus Aloko also said over 1,000 persons have been assisted through the foundation’s legal clinics while it has also trained over 20,000 Police officers, military personnel, and assisted over 1,000 complainants.
She listed others who benefitted from the training programme of the foundation over the years to include traditional rulers trained on the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and youths on peace building.
Egbuji said other activities of CRIVIFON included setting up of skills acquisition centres to curb youth unemployment and was also involved prison works through which innocent poor victims who are wrongly detained were released.
The CRIVIFON executive director explained that December 10 of every year is set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the World Human Rights Day following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
She stated that the day was the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the major achievements of the United Nations, adding that the day is normally marked, both by high-level political conferences and meetings, cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues.
She said the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights still remains “a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable right which everyone is inherently entitled to regardless of colour, race, sex, language political or another opinion.
Read Also: IGP vows to ensure justice for crime victims
According to her, the declaration set out the universal value and a common standard of achievement for all people and nations.
A Senior State Counsel, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Mrs Ibukun Ibikunle, in a remark said that the office had worked tirelessly to ensure rights of the citizens, both young and old, were protected.
Ibikunle said OPD had established, in collaboration with the police, a rescue mission on child abuse and defilement to ensure the victims were properly taken care of in good environment without stigma and victimisation.
“We enlighten the victims after the crime has been reported and counseled them so that they would not worry about victimisation and stigmatisation.
“Any form of violence, either physical or sexual, are reported to the Ministry of Justice for proper legal action against the suspects,” she said.
According to her, one of the challenges of domestic violence and child abuse is a sentiment attached to the matter by the family members who prevent reportage.
“We need optimum information about the issue. Child abuse by relatives is the worst kind of offence against relations and perpetrators should not be shielded but reported wherever abuses occured” she added.
Ibikunle urged parents and members of the family to always shout out and allow the law to take its course to prevent further abuses in the family.
In his comments, the National Coordinator, CRIVIFON, Mr Titus Ofurum,also urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to be proactive in preventing crimes.
Leave a Reply