The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nigeria, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, San, has been elected president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in Western Africa (NNHRI-WA).
Ojukwu's choice took place during the closing session of a three -day regional consultation of the network, marking the end of the mandate of his predecessor, Dr. Joseph Whittal of Ghana, who served as president for six years.
In his acceptance speech, Ojukwu promised to strengthen cooperation between Western Africa countries to advance the promotion and protection of human rights.
He described his vision for the network, which includes the construction of the capacity of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) to effectively respond to the challenges related to resources, governance and operations.
Ojukwu also announced plans to establish a subregional situations room and a data center to improve monitoring, documentation and human rights reports in Western Africa.
“My vision for this network is anchored in respect and cooperation to promote and protect human rights in Western Africa,” he said and emphasized his commitment to promote associations with Ecowas institutions, the United Nations, the media and civil society organizations.
Other newly elected officials of the network include Amsatou Sow Sidibe (Senegal) as vice president; Charles Harris (Liberia) as treasurer; Serge Prince (Benin) as general secretary; Alkadri Diarra (Mali) as Secretary of Advertising I; Patricia Ndanema (Sierra Leone) as Secretary of Advertising II; and Fernanda Maria Da Costa (Guinea-Bissau) as Secretary of Advertising III.
The Regional Consultation brought together the delegates from 12 countries of Western Africa, the Commission of the CEDEA, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in West Africa (OHCHR-WARO) and the United Nations Office for Western Africa and Sahel (UN).
Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi, San, praised the delegates for their dedication to advance in the repairing justice. He pointed out that the issue was not simply addressing the past, but also to shape a better future for Africans and people of African descent.
During three -day deliberations, the delegates requested the restoration of the NHRI in the countries currently under the military government, including Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea. After military acquisitions in these countries and their subsequent withdrawal of Ecowas to form the alliance of the Sahel states, the participants emphasized the importance of the continuous participation of human rights in the region.
Other key discussions focused on encouraging member states to adopt alternatives to detention, urging the Cede to accelerate the development and adoption of the Transition Justice Manual of CEDEAS to guide the States to address past and present injustices, promote reconciliation and guarantee sustainable development.
At the end of the consultation, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to protect the rights of migrants, increase the defense of climate change, harmonize the collection of national data on human rights violations and support national governments to fulfill their economic responsibilities.
In addition, they asked governments to create enabling environments that promote decent work, relieve poverty and improve living conditions, thus reducing the incidence of economically driven migration in the subregion.