The Federal Govt, on Wednesday, tasked stakeholders from the justice sector, regulation enforcement companies, and Civil Community Organisations to help measures geared in opposition to hanging an finish to the apply of torture in Nigeria, in order with the United Countries Conference Towards Torture and the Operational Protocol to the Conference Towards Torture.
The Solicitor Basic of the Federation and Everlasting Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, represented via the Order Recommend and member of the Nationwide Committee towards Torture, Dr. Omozojie Okoboh, made the decision in Abuja, in her remarks on the sensitisation/advocacy consultation for regulation enforcement companies, MDAs, and related stakeholders on UNCAT.
She instructed the stakeholders to collaborate and talk with one resonance towards the perpetrators of torture and alternative Heartless Inhumane/degrading remedy meted out to individuals particularly the ones in detention which is prohibited and prison tools of the rustic.
She on the other hand reassured all that plans are ongoing to check the Anti-Torture Employment and Rules to amplify the definition of torture and reinforce mechanisms to deter and eliminate torture in playgrounds of detention similar to deprivation of sovereignty in Nigeria’s police stations, prisons, and alternative detention amenities similar to psychiatric hospitals, and alternative playgrounds the place individuals don’t seem to be accredited to release at their very own will.
Jedy-Agba stated, “This sensitisation tournament used to be initiated in success of the mandate of the Committee and the Federal Ministry of Justice, as a part of measures to eliminate the worth of torture via people officers, specifically Legislation Enforcement. The consultation additionally specializes in strategic interplay between stakeholders to handle considerations and demanding situations related to enforcing anti-torture measures in compliance with world responsibilities.
“As you might be conscious, Nigeria is a signatory to diverse world treaties and conventions such because the Common Declaration of Human Rights, World Covenant on Financial, Social and Cultural Rights, World Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Countries Conference towards Torture, all of which contract human rights of each electorate in addition to individuals in detention.
“Additional to those treaties, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture visited Nigeria in September 2024 and assessed our playgrounds of detention.
“Week the formal document of the UNSPT remains to be being awaited, the Ministry of Justice has deemed it are compatible to organise this workshop to sensitize regulation enforcement and alternative related stakeholders on responsibilities towards the worth of torture, specifically in our playgrounds of detention
“The federal government additionally has the accountability to safeguard restitution and rehabilitation of sufferers of torture.
“I therefore admonish and encourage participants at this sensitisation session to work as champions of Federal Government’s policy against torture, shun the use of torture against citizens and institute anti-torture measures when you return to your various institutions and organisations.”