Politics
THE National Human Rights Commission and the Committee for the Defence on Human Rights, on Thursday, called on the various security agencies to bring to justice the northern youths who asked Igbo to quit the North before October 1, 2017.
The NHRC and CDHR said in separate statements that the ultimatum was a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of every Nigerian to reside, acquire and own immovable properties in any part of the country, as guaranteed under Section 43 of the Constitution.
Principal Public Affairs Officer of the NHRC, Mebrim Uchechukwu, said the commission viewed the threat as constituting a hate speech, an inciting statement and a threat to national peace and security.
The statement also quoted the Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, as urging security agencies to ensure that the allegation was properly investigated with a view to bringing any offender to justice.
The statement, which also urged the security agencies and governments at all levels in the country to be vigilant, said the offenders must be brought to justice in a bid to protect lives and properties of all the citizens across the country.
The statement read, “The alleged quit notice, to say the least, is not only provocative and a serious threat to national peace and security, but a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians to reside, acquire and own immovable properties in any part of the country as guaranteed under Section 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)
“The Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, who stated this in Abuja while reacting to the statement issued by Arewa youths, observed that the outburst amounts to hate speech and inciting comments with potential to ignite ethnic and religious violence which constitute a serious affront on human rights.” – Punch
— Jun 8, 2017 @ 19:00 GMT
Tags: Mebrim Uchechukwu National Human Rights Commission NHRC Public Affairs
