While 24 landmarks across the globe will be decked in bright blue to mark the Human Rights Day, Nigeria has continued to receive knocks for flagrant abuses of the rights of its citizens.
The Human Rights Watch on the eve of the celebration says President Muhammadu Buhari is intolerant of dissent and applies heavy-handed responses to peaceful protests.
In a post on Nigeria in its website, the group wrote, “The optimism that followed the relatively peaceful elections that brought in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration gradually gave way to concerns about government intolerance for dissent and heavy-handed violent responses to peaceful protests.”
“Lack of accountability for human rights abuses by government forces and non-state armed groups, including Boko Haram and cattle herdsmen, created an atmosphere of insecurity.
“Old tensions and agitations for the independent state of Biafra in the southeast and renewed Niger Delta militancy was met with violent military crackdowns, as government promises of security sector reforms fail to translate to genuine concrete action.”
However, as the world prepares to celebrate the rights day, HRW said major landmarks will glow bright blue from New York to Syndey and fromTaipei to Toronto.
The day was set aside to show solidarity with the human rights movement and the values it works daily to defend including equality, dignity, and justice for all.
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In a letter to The Next Edition, the Human Rights Watch Executive Director, Ken Roth said, “This global expression of solidarity is more than symbolic. It’s a statement of purpose and a call to action around the world.
“Illuminating these iconic buildings embodies HRW’s mission to shine a light on human rights violations wherever they occur.
“It captures the power of Human Rights Watch as a beacon of hope for victims of abuses around the world.
“It shows the world the importance of exposing atrocities and spotlighting injustices so they cannot be ignored.”
He urged people around the world to use the day to start a conversation with their community about the importance of human rights, and what they can all do to protect them.
Contacted to speak on the country’s poor human rights record, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Affairs, Femi Adesina, said he is not in a position to address the issue.
He, however, directed this newspaper to speak with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
But attempts to speak with Mr. Mohammed failed as calls and text message to him were not answered.
