NHRC Inaugurates Human Rights Defenders Forum

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in partnership with the European Union, yesterday, in Abuja, organised a forum for civil society consultation on the state of human rights in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the executive secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, revealed that at the end of the consultation, there will be an inauguration of a Human Rights Defenders Forum, which will be responsible for ensuring greater protection of civil liberties as well as foster democratic consolidation and safeguards the fundamental rights of all Nigerians, especially those who stand up for the rights of others.
Ojukwu said the inauguration of the Human Rights Defenders Forum underscores the importance of creating a unified platform for those who work at the frontlines of human rights protection. The forum will serve as a space for defenders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and develop strategies for addressing the myriad of challenges they face.

While emphasising that stakeholders must stand together to provide human rights defenders with the necessary support and ensure their safety at the frontlines, the executive secretary thanked the European delegation in Nigeria for their unwavering support of issues pertaining to the rights of citizens within the country.

“This consultation provides us with a unique opportunity to take stock of where we are, engage in constructive dialogue, and identify solutions to these pressing challenges. It is also a testament to the power of collaboration. We are deeply grateful to the European Union Delegation to Nigeria for partnering with the National Human Rights Commission in organising this forum. The EU’s unwavering commitment to promoting human rights and supporting civil society efforts across the globe is commendable, and we are honoured to work with them in Nigeria.”

“The discussions we will have today are centred on three crucial themes at the heart of any democracy: the right to electoral participation and democratic consolidation, the protection of civil liberties, civic space and human rights defenders, and the pressing issue of digital rights and privacy protection. These issues are not merely theoretical—they are practical challenges that impact our daily lives and the future of Nigeria as a democratic state,” he said.