UN, Others Back Human Rights Defenders Protection, Funding Bills

The United Nations (UN) has expressed strong support for the bills seeking to protect human rights defenders and sustain contributions to the fund for human rights activities in Nigeria.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) disclosed this at a public hearing on the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act Repeal and Re-Enactment Bill, held on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, which was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Malick Fall, said the legislative efforts represent critical steps toward strengthening the institutional framework for human rights protection in Nigeria.
“They will ensure greater alignment with international standards, particularly the Paris Principles on the status and functioning of national human rights institutions, and advance the recognition and safeguards for human rights defenders in line with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,” he said.
Represented by Senior Human Rights Adviser Adwoa Kufuor, Malick Fall urged the National Assembly to adopt both bills, assuring that the OHCHR is ready to provide technical assistance, including expertise on best practices for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and the protection of human rights defenders.
He noted that the NHRC bill aligns with the Paris Principles and enhances NHRI compliance by strengthening the mandate for prevention and monitoring; promoting implementation of national action plans; and ensuring adequate and sustainable funding.
Also speaking, the Programme Director of Development Dynamics, Dr. Jude Ohanele, said the enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill will strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
According to him, the bill will improve Nigeria’s international human rights reputation, promote transparency and good governance, and enhance investor confidence through rule-of-law assurances.
Ohanele added that the bill will reduce conflict by providing lawful channels for grievance expression, stressing that protecting human rights defenders is not an adversarial action against the state.
“We strongly support the bill in its entirety. The Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, 2024 (HB.1867), is a landmark legislative initiative that reflects Nigeria’s preference for democracy and commitment to constitutional governance.
“We respectfully urge the honourable members of the House of Representatives to give this bill accelerated consideration and passage in the national interest.
“By passing this bill, Nigeria will send a powerful message that it stands firmly for justice, accountability, civic participation, and the protection of those who courageously defend the rights and freedoms guaranteed under our Constitution,” he said.
In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), expressed reservations about the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill.
Represented by Chief State Counsel Reuben Imarha, Fagbemi argued that Nigeria already has sufficient legislation on human rights protection.
He said enacting another law could lead to institutional overlap, legislative confusion, and duplication of functions among government agencies.
Although acknowledging the existing gaps in human rights protection, the minister urged the National Assembly to strengthen existing institutions rather than introduce new laws. He maintained that the ministry is strongly opposed to the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill and urged lawmakers to reject the proposed legislation.
On the bill seeking to repeal and reenact the National Human Rights Commission Act, Fagbemi said the ministry supports the initiative but has concerns about certain provisions.
He noted that Clause 5(2b), which would require business owners to obtain an annual human rights compliance certificate, could undermine efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Fagbemi also pointed out that Clause 15, which seeks to empower the commission to borrow funds for human rights cases, should require approval from the ministry or the National Assembly to prevent abuse.
Additionally, he highlighted that Clause 16(2b) proposes a quasi-tax requiring multinationals and businesses in the financial and oil sectors to contribute 0.3% of their annual profit to the commission. He said the ministry fears this may impose undue financial burdens.
In his contribution, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said businesses should be compelled to integrate human rights considerations into their operations.
Ojukwu noted that the Human Rights Fund established in 2010 has not been funded to date, explaining that the bill seeks to draw resources from tax reforms to support human rights cases.
He said the bill also aims to ensure speedy enforcement of commission decisions through the Federal High Court and to consolidate the commission’s independence.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, described the proposed legislations as timely and commended the NHRC for continually striving to fulfill its mandate.
Nwankwo said much still needs to be done, hence the need for the amendments, and urged the National Assembly to grant the commission’s requests and pass the bills into law before the last quarter of the year.