The 7th Regional Consultation and Annual General Meeting of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in West Africa is underway in Abuja, with the theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions.”
The five-day event, which began on June 30 and is expected to end on July 4, is organised by the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, in his address, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deploying restorative justice mechanisms in addressing human rights violations. He also expressed concern over the increasing human rights abuses in the sub-region, citing rising banditry, terrorism, armed conflicts, unconstitutional governments, and climate-induced crises.
Chairperson of the NHRC Governing Council, Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing restorative justice. She emphasized the importance of regional cooperation among NHRIs, describing their role as critical to safeguarding human rights in the region.
Also speaking, Dr. Joseph Whittal, President of the West African Network of NHRIs and Ghana’s Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, stressed the need for NHRIs to remain steadfast despite political and social pressures. He said the full realisation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights depended on the diligence and resilience of national institutions.
Representing the United Nations, Ms. Barrie Lynne Freeman, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, highlighted the achievements of the past three decades of collaboration. She noted the UN’s ongoing support in addressing key human rights issues including migration, detention, and social exclusion.
The consultation continues with strategic discussions on restorative justice, reparations, and the strengthening of human rights systems across the West African region.
