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FEC approves Action Plan 2022-2026 on Human Rights

Agency Report
Agency Report
FEC approves Action Plan 2022-2026 on Human Rights
Abubakar Malami

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved Action Plan 2022-2026 for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the weekly meeting of the council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The plan was formulated by the stakeholders in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

He said the approval followed the Buhari administration’s compliance with National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, judgement and payment of N135 million compensation to victims and family members of the September 18, 2013 Apo Six killings.

Malami also said the report of the committee for the protection of journalists, equally adjudging Nigeria as the only African country that has been in full compliance in terms of the protection of the rights of the journalists.

The minister said: “This is taking into consideration that not a single incidence of death of a journalist has been recorded in Nigeria arising from infractions, relating thereto.”

According to Malami, the policy is intended and targeted at consolidating and upscaling the Nigerian observance of the Human Rights posture in view of the successes and achievements of Nigeria as it relates to human rights under the current administration.

He said: “As you will recall, the administration of Buhari has established a record of being the first and only administration in the history of Nigeria that has indeed tolerated, accommodated and enforced the decision of the Human Rights Commission.

“And in this respect, talking of the Apo Six, taking into consideration, the commission adjudged the government as being in breach of the human rights of certain individuals popularly referred to as Apo Six, which unfortunate incidents predates the government of  Buhari.

“The Human Rights Commission adjudged the government liable to pay about N135 million to the family of the victims of the alleged infractions.”

Malami said the Buhari’s administration took steps to ensure payment of the N135 million to the Apo Six in compliance with the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission, “Thereby giving teeth to the Human Rights Commission in terms of compliance with the recommendation.”

“Now with those local and international successes in mind, the need has now arisen for Nigeria to indeed consolidate on the gains.

“This is with the view to upscaling its provision from a local observance of the protection of the human right to international standard by way of ensuring compliance with the best practices.”

According to him, the new action plan would help prove that Nigeria is working in tandem with international best practices with regards to the protection of human rights.

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