Human Rights Advocates Meet Ahead Of UNCHRC Review

By Florence Adewale

Human Rights Advocates have converged on Abuja to review the National Report of the United Nations Human Rights Council in preparation for Nigeria’s Fourth Cycle, Universal Periodic Review.

At the occasion, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba said
the Universal Periodic Review is a unique process that involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States.

She said the review became necessary because it provides the opportunity for each member State to declare necessary actions taken to improve human rights in their countries.

According to Jedy-Agba, the review meeting in collaboration with the Inter-ministerial Committee overseeing preparations of Nigeria’s National Report to the United Nations Human Rights Council had put in place modalities to actualize its mandate, among which is the Stakeholders’ engagement conducted throughout the six geo-political zones of the country, including FCT for collating information which will be used In the preparation of the national report.

Jedy-Agba explained further, “It would be recalled that Nigeria was reviewed by the UNHRC in 2009, 2013, and 2018 during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd UPR Cycles respectively, and preparations have been ongoing for Nigeria’s 4th review scheduled for January/February 2024. Further, recall that preparations for Nigeria’s 4th Cycle review commenced in earnest in September 2022 with the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation”.

Also speaking at the occasion, Professor Joy Ezeilo said the review meeting would go a long way to enable Nigeria to fulfill its Human Rights commitment and obligations and address all forms of violations.

According to Professor Ezeilo Nigeria has been involved in the past UPR processes and was reviewed in the First Cycle which was held in 2009, the Second and Third Review Cycles were in 2013 and 2018 respectively and preparations are ongoing for the Fourth Review Cycle in 2024, and the Federal Government of Nigeria constituted the Inter-Ministerial Committee for that purpose”.

The stakeholders at the forum are expected to come up with meaningful recommendations for onward submission to the upcoming fourth cycle of review in Geneva before the end of the year.

Edited By Grace Namiji