Human Rights Protection in Nigeria – SS3 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Human rights are the basic rights every person has because they are human, whatever their wealth, sex, ethnicity or religion.

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain what human rights are and give examples.
2. Describe common human rights violations in Nigeria and the reasons they happen.
3. Name the NHRC, the judiciary and NGOs as protectors of human rights and state what each does.
4. Outline the steps the NHRC follows when it receives a complaint.
5. State the challenges to human rights protection and ways to improve it.
6. List actions young Nigerians can take to protect human rights.

What are human rights?

Human rights are basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person from birth.

• Universal: they apply to rich and poor, men and women, and every ethnic group and religion.
• Not given by government: government must respect and protect them but does not create them.
• Right to life: nobody may kill you without lawful reason.
• Right to dignity: you deserve respect and freedom from torture and slavery.
• Right to freedom: you cannot be held without lawful reason.
• Right to fair trial: if accused, you get a fair hearing.
• Freedom of expression: you can state your opinion.
• Freedom of movement: you can travel and live in any part of Nigeria.
• Right to education, healthcare and work: social and economic rights that help people live decently.

Where are human rights written down in Nigeria?

Human rights are listed mainly in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

• Chapter II: education, healthcare and work appear here as policy goals for government.
• Child’s Rights Act 2003: protects children, and each state must adopt it for it to apply there.
• International documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guide Nigeria.

Why is human rights protection important?

Human rights protection stops the powerful from abusing the weak.

• Safety: police cannot torture suspects and parents cannot abuse children without answering for it.
• Fair treatment: government cannot jail people without trial, and employers cannot exploit workers.
• Dignity: every person is treated with respect.
• Justice: a society that protects rights is fairer and more stable.

What human rights violations happen in Nigeria?

A human rights violation is any act by a person, group or government that takes away or ignores a person’s rights.

Why do violations happen and what challenges affect protection?

Violations continue mainly because institutions are weak and offenders are rarely punished.

• Weak institutions: police are poorly trained and supervised, courts are overloaded, the NHRC is understaffed and NGOs lack funds.
• Weak rule of law: laws are not applied equally, so powerful people escape consequences.
• Poverty and inequality: poor people cannot pay lawyers or court costs, so they are easy targets.
• Corruption: officials demand bribes and justice can go to the highest bidder.
• Impunity: offenders who go unpunished repeat the abuse.
• Lack of awareness: many people do not know their rights or where to report violations.
• Harmful customs: some practices that violate rights are defended by culture or religion, so change needs respect and firm protection of rights.
• Pressure on justice: political interference and media sensationalism can prevent fair hearings.

Who protects human rights in Nigeria?

Three main bodies protect human rights in Nigeria: the National Human Rights Commission, the judiciary and non-governmental organisations.

What is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)?

The NHRC is Nigeria’s official, independent government body for promoting and protecting human rights.

• Investigates: it looks into reported violations.
• Receives complaints: any citizen may report a violation.
• Educates: it teaches people about their rights.
• Monitors: it visits prisons and detention centres.
• Advises: it makes recommendations to government.
• Cooperates abroad: it works with international human rights bodies.
• Limit: it cannot arrest or prosecute, so it exposes violations and presses government to act.

What is the role of the judiciary?

The judiciary is the arm of government made up of the courts, which interpret the law and settle disputes.

• Structure: the Supreme Court is the highest court, followed by the Court of Appeal and then trial courts.
• Award damages: courts order payment to victims.
• Stop violations: courts order violators to stop.
• Enforce the Constitution: courts uphold rights listed in Chapter IV.
• Punish offenders: courts sentence people found guilty of crimes.

What are non-governmental organisations (NGOs)?

NGOs are private, non-profit groups that work on public issues and do not belong to government.

How does the NHRC handle a complaint?

The NHRC handles a complaint in five steps, from receiving it to checking what government has done.

1. Receive the complaint: a citizen visits the office, calls or writes.
2. Investigate: staff interview victims and witnesses and gather evidence.
3. Make findings: the NHRC decides whether a violation occurred.
4. Recommend: it advises police to stop abuses, courts to speed up trials or government to change laws.
5. Follow up: it checks whether the recommendations were carried out.

What are the limitations of the NHRC?

• No power to prosecute: it can only recommend.
• Understaffed: thousands of complaints come in and not all can be investigated.
• Ignored advice: government sometimes does not act on its recommendations.
• Limited funds: this restricts its work.
• Low awareness: many people do not know it exists.

How does the judiciary protect rights?

The judiciary protects rights by hearing cases, enforcing the Constitution and punishing or ordering compensation from violators.

Enforcing constitutional rights

• Where to go: a person whose rights are violated can apply to a Federal or State High Court.
• Example: if police arrest you without proper procedure, the court can order your release.

Criminal law

• Meaning: the court tries people accused of crimes such as assault, theft and rape.

Civil law

• Meaning: a person whose rights are violated, without a crime, can sue for damages.
• Example: an employer who dismisses a worker illegally can be sued for compensation.

Habeas corpus

• Meaning: a court order requiring the person holding someone to bring them to court.
• Use: the court checks whether the detention is lawful and can order release if it is not.

What are the limitations of the judiciary?

• Delay: cases take years.
• Cost: poor people cannot afford lawyers.
• Corruption: some court officials are corrupt.
• Training: judges are not always well trained.
• Overload: there are too many cases for the courts available.
• Complex procedures: ordinary people find them hard to follow.

How do NGOs protect rights?

NGOs protect rights by helping victims, recording abuses and pressing for change.

• Legal aid: free legal help for people who cannot pay.
• Advocacy: pressure on government through media and public campaigns.
• Documentation: records of violations that can be used in court or by international bodies.
• Education: workshops, printed materials, radio and social media.
• International reporting: reports to international bodies that add pressure on government.
• Victim support: counselling, medical care and shelter.
• Monitoring: watching government actions.

What can be done to improve human rights protection?

• Strengthen institutions: give the NHRC more staff and funds and support the courts.
• Reduce corruption: prosecute corrupt officials.
• Train officials: teach police and judges about rights and fair trial.
• Improve access to justice: provide legal aid, reduce costs, build more courts and simplify procedures.
• Raise awareness: teach rights in schools and on radio and social media.
• Support NGOs: allow them to operate freely.
• Punish violators: accountability discourages future abuse.
• Review unfair laws and practices: change those that discriminate against women or other groups.
• Use international bodies: UN and African human rights bodies can add pressure.

What are examples of rights protection in action?

• Chibok girls: after Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in 2014, local and international pressure kept the case in public view, and some girls were later freed.
• Court cases: courts have awarded damages and protected freedom of expression.
• NGO action: SERAP has taken government to court over public funds and education funding.
• Accountability: police officers have at times been prosecuted for brutality, which shows that accountability is possible.

What can you do to protect human rights?

• Know your rights: read Chapter IV of the Constitution.
• Respect others’ rights: do not bully, discriminate or abuse anyone.
• Report violations: tell the NHRC, an NGO, the media or the police where safe.
• Use the system: go to court or the NHRC if your rights are violated.
• Raise awareness: teach friends and family about rights.
• Document: record what you witness with notes, photos or videos, where it is safe.
• Support victims: help them reach legal aid and counselling.
• Support NGOs: volunteer or donate if you can.
• Vote wisely: choose leaders who respect rights.

How are human rights linked to development?

Human rights and development support each other because people work and trade better where they are safe and treated fairly.

• Security: people who are not afraid can work, learn and trade.
• Trust: fair courts give businesses confidence.
• Stability: abuse of rights can lead to violence and unrest.
• Connection: fair courts, trained police and informed citizens strengthen each other.
• Reputation: international bodies report on Nigeria’s record, which affects how other countries view it.
• Future role: today’s students will become police officers, judges, lawyers, officials and voters.

Evaluation

1. Define human rights and give four examples.
2. State four human rights violations that occur in Nigeria and the right each affects.
3. List the five steps the NHRC follows when it receives a complaint.
4. State three ways the judiciary protects human rights and three of its limitations.
5. Mention four things a young Nigerian can do to protect human rights.

Assignment

Choose either the NHRC or the judiciary. Explain how it protects human rights in Nigeria and state three limitations it faces.