Safeguarding Human Rights in Nigeria’s Defence Sector Sacrosanct – Experts
Unchecked violation of fundamental human rights and dignity breeds continuous corrupt practices that weaken defence and security structures.
But building a mutual respect and cooperation between defence and security agencies to encourage synergy in order to facilitate continuous accountability of human rights and security is a necessity, experts have said.
They made this known at a two-day capacity building on the management of corruption petitions in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The workshop, organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with the Transparency International-Defence and Security Program was aimed at revisiting issues and challenges of human rights within the Defence and Security sector.
According to the experts, Nigeria faces multi-faceted and growing security challenges and response to threats at institutional levels has largely impacted human rights protection just as maintaining a balance between security, laws and human rights lingers unresolved.
“Protection of human rights remains sacrosanct as enshrined under legal proviosbacked by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the lack of a centralised databank on the protection of human rights within the Defence and Security sector has resulted in mismatched responses at policy levels.
“Delayed integration of modern information and communication technology tools and equipments hampers the overall defence and security efficiency.
“Therefore, aggressive awareness, sensitisation, training and re-training of Human Rights, SERVICOM, ACTU Desk Officers on legal provisions protecting human rights should be prioritised.
“It should be noted that upholding the respect for human rights principles and practice with the Constitution and relevant legal provisions through collective and continued oversight of Defence and Security agencies is paramount for maximum accountability and efficiency.
“The rules of engagement by personnel operating in civil space to prevent human rights violation exhaustive corruption should be strictly adhere to.
“Equally, ensuring the use of mainstream technology tools in defence and security operations for an enhanced intelligence gathering and timely response.
“Most importantly, we should move to integrate human rights and anti-corruption knowledge into the Nigerian educational curriculum from Primary to Tertiary institutions to amplify awareness creation and capacity building,” they said.
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