OpenLife Nigeria reports that Comrade Debo Adeniran, President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has reawakened the consciousness of individuals and institutions including governments on the tenets of human rights.
He availed his thoughts as reproduced below
On this International Human Rights Day, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), joins the global community in reaffirming unwavering commitment to the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of human rights for all.
This year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, serves as a powerful call to action, reminding us that the realization of human rights is not only urgent but essential to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable society.
Human Rights: A Foundation for Development and Peace Human rights are the cornerstone of any thriving democracy.
They guarantee dignity, equality, and freedom, and ensure that no one is left behind, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, age, or socio-economic status. In Nigeria, these rights are enshrined in our Constitution and international treaties to which we are a party.
However, the journey to fully realizing these rights for every Nigerian remains fraught with challenges, including insecurity, inequality, corruption, and systemic barriers to justice.
The Urgency of Now
As we reflect on this year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” we are reminded that the future we aspire to depends on the actions we take today.
Across Nigeria, millions of citizens face violations of their fundamental rights – whether through gender-based violence, lack of access to quality education and healthcare, suppression of free speech, or marginalization of vulnerable communities.
These injustices demand immediate action.
We must also recognize that addressing human rights issues is inseparable from addressing climate change, digital inequity, and economic instability.
Young people, women, and marginalized communities must be at the forefront of these conversations, as their voices and lived experiences hold the key to transformative change.
Our Call to Action
On this International Human Rights Day, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights calls on:
Civil Society Groups and Citizens: To remain vigilant, demand accountability, and collaborate in building a culture of human rights awareness.
The International Community: To support Nigeria’s human rights agenda through technical and financial assistance while holding violators accountable.
The Government: To strengthen institutions that safeguard human rights, ensure the enforcement of laws protecting vulnerable groups, and prioritize accountability and transparency in governance and also:
Protect Freedom: Safeguard freedom of expression, association, and access to information while combating discrimination and inequality in all its forms.
Promote Justice: Strengthen institutions that ensure accountability and protect people from violence, oppression, and injustice.
Empower Communities: Invest in education, healthcare, and sustainable development to give everyone the opportunity to live with dignity and thrive.
Combat the Climate Crisis: Uphold environmental rights, ensuring that all people, especially future generations, have access to a safe and healthy planet.
We also urge Nigerians to embrace solidarity and actively participate in creating a society where everyone’s rights are respected and protected.
By doing so, we can shape a future that truly reflects the ideals of equity, justice, and dignity.
As we commemorate International Human Rights Day 2024, let us remember that human rights are not abstract ideals, they are the bedrock of our shared humanity and the foundation upon which our nation’s future is built.
Together, let us rise to the challenge of ensuring that Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now becomes more than a slogan but a lived reality for all Nigerians.
Signed,
Debo Adeniran
President, CDHR
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