FG inaugurates panel on UN human rights ‘3rd cycle’

The Federal Government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to assess the human rights situation in the country and prepare Nigeria’s third cycle universal periodic review (UPR) initiative to be forwarded to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Dr Habiba Muda Lawal, who inaugurated the committee yesterday in Abuja, recalled that Nigeria’s second cycle report was presented in October, 2013 at the 17th session of the working group on universal periodic review of the human rights council.

“To assess the level of implementation of the recommendations made to Nigeria by the United Nations human rights council during the second review cycle and; to take appropriate steps towards the implementation of recommendations accepted by Nigeria preparatory to the third review cycle of Nigeria by the human rights council among others.

According to her, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration would do all within its powers to live up to her obligations in the comity of nations, saying respect for human rights remained a top priority for the government.

The committee chaired by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mr Taiwo Abidogun, also have the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as co-chair.

Members of the committee are drawn from some ministries, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), security agencies, civil societies, the academia and professional bodies.

Chairman of the committee, Taiwo Abidogun who said his team would carry out the assignment with all sense of responsibility and adhere to the terms of reference would also meet the deadline.