BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI
ABUJA — The Federal Government, yesterday, described as worrisome, continued reports of human rights violations across the federation, saying it was capable of “constituting a blight on our diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Annual General Assembly of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa, NNHRI, holding at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, noted that in the recent past, human rights violations and abuses had held people down and devalued the nation’s cherished values.

He said: “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I welcome all members and other participants to this Annual General Assembly. It is gratifying that the national institutions on human rights in West Africa are synergizing and building institutional bridges for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the sub-region.

“In the recent past, human rights violations and abuses have held our people down, devaluing our cherished values and constituting blight on our diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.

“Thankfully, with the restoration of democratic governance in all the countries in the sub-region, there are conscious efforts by governments in West Africa to ensure respect for, protection and fulfillment of human rights. In the case of Nigeria, our National Human Rights Commission has been repositioned to effectively discharge its mandate.

“I believe that this meeting will provide an opportunity for national human rights institutions in the sub-region to take a retrospective estimation of their work; share best practices and develop common platform for addressing challenges still impacting negatively on the enjoyment of human rights by our people.”