What is the Value of Human Rights to You?

  By Femi Senu | @Femi_Senu | Tuesday 24 May 2016 | 23:00 GMT

NIGERIA – Although Nigeria experienced relatively peaceful presidential and gubernational elections in March and April 2015, since 2009 there has been a marked shift in the nature of political violence and human rights abuses. In northeast Nigeria, Boko Haram continues to be the main source of unrest. Yet, Boko Haram obfuscates the national picture when it comes to human rights abuses. It is high time we looked at the whole picture.

Governmental authorities, including the police, are implicated in human rights abuses nationally. It would not be far from the truth to suggest that the Nigerian Police Force is perhaps one of the most irresponsible, corrupt and maligned authorities in Nigeria. And yet what is most worrying is the government’s limited ability to hold the police force to account.

Democracy, prosperity and freedom are only possible in a society that appreciates and embraces democratic values – values which include protecting the freedoms and liberties of people. If Nigeria is such a society, then those in powers of authority can no longer be allowed to get away with human rights abuses.

The strength of democracy is heralded on the rule of law; for the laws established ensure people are free to enjoy their liberty but not threatened by its abuse. No matter what your position in society, laws in a democracy only work when all are subject to its rules. However, Nigeria seems to present exactly the opposite case.

Recently, a girl was attacked in Warri, Delta State because she was said to have a stolen a phone. In jungle justice manner, she was stripped naked and sexually harassed by an angry mob. Does this convey a people that care for the meaning of justice? But are they to blame for not caring? Are they to blame for taking matters into their own hands?

It is true that many Nigerians would criticise the judicial system as unable to bring justice to the people who need it most, while others would suggest the political hierarchy prevents the proper and fair prosecution of white collar corrupt criminals. Nonetheless, whatever the reason, it is beyond our fathomable imagination that Nigeria remains a democratic society that perpetually values its laws and liberty.

Despite the fact that observing laws in a democracy is critical to growth in the Nigerian economy, critical to the growth of businesses and critical to community cohesion, there is a growing disdain from the bottom up for respect of these laws, which ultimately leads to a second case where the value of human rights is readily neglected.

Yesterday in the afternoon, a policewoman attached to the Igando Police Station in Lagos stopped a bus driver in front of the NNPC Police Station. She had stopped the driver to request for a small fee to continue his journey (a bribe). When the driver came out of his bus, he pleaded to the officer, explaining he had only just begun working and did not have much on him.

The policewoman refused to agree, insisting she needed her N500. When the situation began to escalate, push led to shoving, with the policewoman pushing the driver backwards. The wet conditions caused by the rain made the driver slip. As he fell backward, he hit his head on the floor and died instantly. Noticing what she had done, the policewoman fled the scene. Does this event describe a responsible Nigeria?

Many call for development, yet fail to condemn corruption. And in the case above it was the root cause of the bus driver’s death. If we fail to condemn these actions in our community, then we will only continue to damage the foundations of freedom, prosperity, independence and human rights entrenched in democracy.

A successful Nigeria means the protection of freedoms and the rights of every citizen. It means respect for the rule of law and shunning criminal behaviour. We cannot go on pretending as if all is well, when our fellow Nigerians are ridiculed and even killed because we as a people do not care for democratic values.

We appeal to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the President of Nigeria, Mr Muhummadu Buhari to lead the fight against human rights abuses. We equally appeal to our lawmakers to treat this matter with urgency, reforming governmental institutions like the Nigerian Police Force.

We also appeal to you, the good people of Nigeria. You too can stand up for your community by respecting the liberty of your fellow man. Although we never wish so, you could be that individual who is a victim of jungle justice, or it could be your friend or relative, so let us pay close and careful attention to these words. It’s time to value our human rights!

Nigeria: we cannot say we are a true democracy if we do not care for its values; if issues such as the abuse of human rights are not tackled head on. We do not want to encourage a disdain for the law or human rights – for we remember that every loss of life as a result of violence is a life that could and should have been saved. The question is: what are we going to do about it?