By IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

ABUJA—ABUJA—A coalition of over 250 civil societies organisations, yesterday, dragged the Nigerian government before the United Nations, over what they termed “deteriorating situations of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria in the last three years”.

In a report the group submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, yesterday, under the aegis of Human Rights Agenda Network, HRAN, maintained that the Nigerian government, lacks the commitment to prosecute politically exposed persons who were accused of corruption and abuse of office.

According to them, “None of the former governors charged to court since 2007 has been effectively prosecuted.”

Urging the UN to call the federal government to order, HRAN, in the report which was tendered by Mr. Chino Obiagwu,  said: “Our 2013 report demonstrated that the situation of human rights in Nigeria remains deteriorating, in the following patterns:

“Increased cases of extra judicial executions and summary killings; continued use of torture as state-condoned tool of law enforcement; widespread gender-based violence and sex crimes.

“Forced eviction of poor urban communities; denial of educational rights with students of public universities at home for more than a half of the year; increased cases of corruption and apparent lack of commitment of government to punish corrupt public officials.

“Violations of rights of children and the failure of federal and state governments to fully implement the Child Rights Laws; repressive counter-terrorism administration resulting in increased gun violence and insecurity.

“Continued use of death penalty with the recent execution of 4 prisoners in Edo State despite their appeals pending in court.

“Poor investment in infrastructure such as power, roads, rail and health delivery, despite open profligacy in government.  E.g. in 2013, the government procured new presidential planes and top aviation officials spent over $220m to purchase two cars, yet primary to tertiary education are severely underfunded”.

More so, the group, said its findings showed that over 3600 persons were direct victims of human rights violations in 2013 in Nigeria covered in 687 reported incidents.

“This showed an average of two violations and over ten victims daily. Under violations around the administration of justice, 205 cases were recorded in Chapter one. There were 1766 cases of unlawfully killed in chapter two, with hundreds of thousands of persons reportedly internally displaced through violent terrorist attacks and destruction of communities in communal clashes.

“About 310 incidents of police arbitrary detention and brutality was recorded, with only 27 charged to court for prosecution.

“Chapter two recorded 111 cases of violations of the rights of women with 69 documented cases of rape and sexual assault and 51 cases of domestic and other gender-based violence. 55 of the reported cases of rape were charged to court and 10 were fully prosecuted while the others were still in court.

“Chapter three: Economic, Social and Cultural rights documents 38 incidents comprising  18 cases of demolition and forced evictions, 5 cases of violations of labour rights, 7 cases of health rights violation and 6 cases of violation of rights to education. Within the year, millions of university students were at home because of lecturers’ industrial action between June and December. 15 persons were reportedly killed as a result of strike actions by health workers.

“Chapter four contains 155 cases of corruption involving money laundering, bribery and fraud including 72 incidents of theft of public funds by public officials. Up to 95 of all the recorded cases of corruption were charged to court with only 11 cases successfully prosecuted. The most violators of this group are public servants and agents of government.

“Under chapter five, 78 cases of violations and abuses against vulnerable persons were recorded. These violations included enslavement of minors, crimes against Persons with Disability, and abuses against the elderly. In 52 of the cases affecting vulnerable persons, there had been arrests made or the suspects charged to court.

“In early 20014 the government passed into law the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2013 (SSMPA 2013) which not only prohibits and criminalizes the institutionalization of same sex relationships, but also prevents the registration and sustenance of organizations, clubs or societies formed by LGBT people.

“The law, in opinion of civil society, is draconian and infringes on rights to privacy, freedom of association and non-discrimination. The law will drive LGBTI community and their public health service deliverers and care givers underground, with clear public health implications.

“HRAN holds Nigeria government responsible for all violations of human rights by its officials or abuses by private citizens or criminal gang. The ultimate duty to protect its citizens and provide redress when violations occur rests with the government.

“HRAN requests that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights demands from Nigerian government that all its institutions, including ministries, the presidency and office of the First Lady, as well as state government and organized private businesses increase their commitments to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of Nigeria in order to deepen democracy and good government”, the group added.

In a report the group submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, yesterday, under the aegis of Human Rights Agenda Network, HRAN, maintained that the Nigerian government, lacks the commitment to prosecute politically exposed persons who were accused of corruption and abuse of office.

According to them, “None of the former governors charged to court since 2007 has been effectively prosecuted.”

Urging the UN to call the federal government to order, HRAN, in the report which was tendered by Mr. Chino Obiagwu,  said: “Our 2013 report demonstrated that the situation of human rights in Nigeria remains deteriorating, in the following patterns:

“Increased cases of extra judicial executions and summary killings; continued use of torture as state-condoned tool of law enforcement; widespread gender-based violence and sex crimes.

“Forced eviction of poor urban communities; denial of educational rights with students of public universities at home for more than a half of the year; increased cases of corruption and apparent lack of commitment of government to punish corrupt public officials.

“Violations of rights of children and the failure of federal and state governments to fully implement the Child Rights Laws; repressive counter-terrorism administration resulting in increased gun violence and insecurity.

“Continued use of death penalty with the recent execution of 4 prisoners in Edo State despite their appeals pending in court.

“Poor investment in infrastructure such as power, roads, rail and health delivery, despite open profligacy in government.  E.g. in 2013, the government procured new presidential planes and top aviation officials spent over $220m to purchase two cars, yet primary to tertiary education are severely underfunded”.

More so, the group, said its findings showed that over 3600 persons were direct victims of human rights violations in 2013 in Nigeria covered in 687 reported incidents.

“This showed an average of two violations and over ten victims daily. Under violations around the administration of justice, 205 cases were recorded in Chapter one. There were 1766 cases of unlawfully killed in chapter two, with hundreds of thousands of persons reportedly internally displaced through violent terrorist attacks and destruction of communities in communal clashes.

“About 310 incidents of police arbitrary detention and brutality was recorded, with only 27 charged to court for prosecution.

“Chapter two recorded 111 cases of violations of the rights of women with 69 documented cases of rape and sexual assault and 51 cases of domestic and other gender-based violence. 55 of the reported cases of rape were charged to court and 10 were fully prosecuted while the others were still in court.

“Chapter three: Economic, Social and Cultural rights documents 38 incidents comprising  18 cases of demolition and forced evictions, 5 cases of violations of labour rights, 7 cases of health rights violation and 6 cases of violation of rights to education. Within the year, millions of university students were at home because of lecturers’ industrial action between June and December. 15 persons were reportedly killed as a result of strike actions by health workers.

“Chapter four contains 155 cases of corruption involving money laundering, bribery and fraud including 72 incidents of theft of public funds by public officials. Up to 95 of all the recorded cases of corruption were charged to court with only 11 cases successfully prosecuted. The most violators of this group are public servants and agents of government.

“Under chapter five, 78 cases of violations and abuses against vulnerable persons were recorded. These violations included enslavement of minors, crimes against Persons with Disability, and abuses against the elderly. In 52 of the cases affecting vulnerable persons, there had been arrests made or the suspects charged to court.

“In early 20014 the government passed into law the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2013 (SSMPA 2013) which not only prohibits and criminalizes the institutionalization of same sex relationships, but also prevents the registration and sustenance of organizations, clubs or societies formed by LGBT people.

“The law, in opinion of civil society, is draconian and infringes on rights to privacy, freedom of association and non-discrimination. The law will drive LGBTI community and their public health service deliverers and care givers underground, with clear public health implications.

“HRAN holds Nigeria government responsible for all violations of human rights by its officials or abuses by private citizens or criminal gang. The ultimate duty to protect its citizens and provide redress when violations occur rests with the government.

“HRAN requests that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights demands from Nigerian government that all its institutions, including ministries, the presidency and office of the First Lady, as well as state government and organized private businesses increase their commitments to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of Nigeria in order to deepen democracy and good government”, the group added.