Five civil society groups in the country have criticised the “apparently unlawful and arbitrary removal of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mrs. Kehinde Ajoni by the Federal Government,” and called on the government to “reaffirm and implement its commitment to the UN Paris Principles, which guarantees full independence for national human rights commissions and provides framework for the effective operation of these institutions.
“Otherwise, the government’s oft-repeated commitment to the rule of law will remain mere political slogan,” the groups stated.
The groups are: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP); Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR); Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC); Partnership for Justice (PJ), and Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS).
A recent statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Taye Akinyemi announced the sacking of Mrs Ajoni but did not give reasons for the action. The statement also said that President Umaru Yar’Adua has approved the appointment of Mr. Roland Ewubare as the new Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.
But in a statement dated 26 March 2009, and signed by SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni; CDHR President Olasupo Ojo; WARDC Executive Director Abiola Afolabi-Akiyode, PJ Managing Partner, Itoro Eze-Anaba, and HURILAWS Legal & Program Officer, Ja’faru Adamu, the groups stated that “The unjustified and arbitrary sacking of Mrs Ajoni, coming just days after the government publicly promised full respect for human rights and the independence and authority of the NHRC during the country’s UN Universal Periodic Review, is hypocritical. It shows the government’s increasing intolerance for the work and independence of the NHRC.”
“The government’s action is also a dangerous trend toward politicisation of the work of the NHRC, and if unaddressed will undermine the full enjoyment of human rights by the citizens,” the groups further stated.
According to the groups, “We are seriously concerned that the unexplained sacking of the head of the NHRC is not only an affront to the UN Paris Principles but also shows the government’s lack of political will to faithfully implement Nigeria’s international human rights obligations and commitments.”
“Nigeria has a clear obligation under national and international human rights laws to respect and protect the work of NHRC and other members of the civil society who work to ensure that the citizens, especially the most vulnerable, fulfil their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Arbitrary and unexplained sacking of the head of the NHRC is a failure of the obligation to ensure that the NHRC is given the authority and freedom to work without any restrictions or political intervention”, the groups further stated.
“Persistent political interference and lack of a fair and transparent process in the appointment of heads and members of the Commission over the years have remained debilitating factors undermining the ability of the Commission to realize its full mandates and potential, and to exercise its authority. Yet, a credible and effective NHRC is key to the enjoyment of the citizens’ human rights,” the groups added.
The groups therefore called on the Federal Government to “immediately reinstate Mrs Ajoni to her job, and to ensure review of the NHRC Act with a view to guaranteeing the Commission full independence and freedom in promoting and defending human rights.”
Signed
1. Adetokunbo Mumuni
Executive Director, SERAP
2. Olasupo Ojo
President, CDHR
3. Abiola Afolabi-Akiyode
Executive Director, WARDC
4. Itoro-Eze Anaba
Managing Partner, PFJ
5. Ja’faru Adamu
Legal & Program Officer, HURILAWS
26/3/09
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