Jonathan signs human rights commission bill into law

BY INNOCENT ANABA

President Goodluck Jonathan has signed the National Human Rights Commission Amendment Bill into law, bringing to an end, more than eight years of legislative advocacy and executive lobbying.

The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, NHRC, March 27, 2011 was established by decree in 1995, with a mandate to promote and protect human rights.

According to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr Roland Ewubare, “the passage of the Bill, will strengthen the operational efficiency of the Commission and upgrade the status of Nigeria at the International Coordinating Committee, ICC, of Human Rights Institutions.”

He added that Nigeria was stripped of its voting rights and downgraded to “B” status  at the ICC, three years ago, due to lack of independence of the NHRC.

He, however, expressed delight that the content of the new law, particularly as it relates to security of tenure, independence for the Commission and additional powers of investigation and enforcement will further strengthen the Commission and ensure its upgrading to “A” status.

Mr Ewubare commended President Goodluck for signing the Bill into law and urged the government to provide adequate funding for the implementation of the provisions of the new law.

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