Stanley Ihedigbo

One of the leading human rights  organisations, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has expressed concern the level of commitment and compliance by the Nigerian government to its obligations under the Convention against Torture (CAT) and the Optional Protocol to the CAT (OpCAT).

In a statement signed by the Executive Director, RULAAC, Com. Okechukwu Nwanguma, noted that June  26, is the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which is observed every year on June 26, and it was first observed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1997 to raise awareness about the suffering of people who undergo torture.

“Nigeria ratified the CAT in 2001 and the OpCAT in 2007. Succcive periodic reviews of member states’ compliance with their obligations under the CAT and OpCAT and other regional and international human rights legal standards repeatedly show that Nigeria has not done enough to implement the provisions of these treaties. Reports from human rights organizations have indicated that torture and other forms of ill-treatment still occur in detention facilities and other security agencies in Nigeria.

“On this day to commemorate victims of torture, we calls on the Nigerian government to see it as a call to action to take their obligations under the CAT and OpCAT seriously and implement measures to eradicate torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It should also be a reminder to security agencies to respect the human rights of detainees and ensure that they are treated humanely, with dignity and respect. Additionally, RULAAC calls for accountability for perpetrators of torture and other forms of ill-treatment and justice for victims,” he stressed.