FENRAD marks International Human Rights Day 2025, emphasizes Human Rights as “Everyday Essentials”

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) joined the global community in commemorating International Human Rights Day 2025 under the theme: “Human Rights – Our Everyday Essentials.”

The day underscores the importance of human rights as foundational elements that shape daily life, protect dignity, and ensure justice, equality, and opportunity for all.

According to the Executive Director, FENRAD Nigeria, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, International Human Rights Day 2025 provides an opportunity for reflection and action.

FENRAD stressed that human rights are not abstract ideals reserved for a select few; they are essential to daily living.

Access to a clean, safe environment, potable water, sanitation, adequate housing, and sustainable living conditions are fundamental human rights that every individual must enjoy.

As an organisation committed to environmental and human rights advocacy, FENRAD recognized the strong link between environmental justice and human rights.

The theme, “Everyday Essentials,” highlights how critical resources—clean air, water, land, and shelter—are indispensable for human dignity.

Protecting these rights is central to FENRAD’s mission of ensuring sustainable development and social justice in Nigeria.

On this Human Rights Day, FENRAD urged: “Governments and policymakers to strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect environmental rights and ensure equitable access to water, sanitation, and land.

“Communities, civil society, and citizens to treat human rights as lived realities, advocating daily for accountability and respect.

“Stakeholders and partners to support grassroots human rights defenders, particularly in vulnerable and marginalised communities,” he stressed.

In line with this commemoration, FENRAD pledged to, elevate environmental rights by spotlighting environmental harm as a human rights issue and advocating for policies that restore and safeguard healthy living conditions.

Empower communities to monitor, raise awareness, and advocate for their right to environment, health, water, sanitation, and housing. Promote human rights education to increase citizen awareness of the impact of fundamental rights on daily life and encourage active defence of these rights.