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NHRC Tasks West African Countries On Human Rights Protection

The National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria (NHRC) has blamed the incessant violation of human rights in West Africa on the failure of most member … Continue reading NHRC Tasks West African Countries On Human Rights Protection


Bem Angwe, NHRC, West Africa, Human Rights,

Bem Angwe, NHRC, West Africa, Human Rights, The National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria (NHRC) has blamed the incessant violation of human rights in West Africa on the failure of most member countries to implement the Paris Principle on Human Rights, 23 years after its adoption.

The observation was made in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Monday by the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Professor Bem Angwe, who is also the President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa.

Professor Angwe said that only six out of the 16 countries in the West African region have human rights institutions that have adopted the international status on human rights, with no attempt by the rest to do so.

The Regional Representative of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights in West Africa, Mr Andera Ori, stressed the need for a thorough implementation of the Paris Principles through the legislative reforms in member countries.

The ECOWAS Head of Democracy and Good Governance, Eyesan Okorodudu, also said the implementation of the principle in member countries was key.

The Paris Principle was drafted in Paris, France’s capital in 1991 and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993.

They are a set of international minimum standards which specify the status and functioning of national human rights institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights.