2024 Human Rights Day: HRCRC secures release of over 50 inmates, inauguates 14 branches in Ebonyi

A civil society organisation, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre (HRCRC) has activated 14 branches across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State.

 

 

This came as move towards advancing the goals of alternative dispute resolution and safeguarding the rights of citizens in Ebonyi State.

 

The branches were inaugurated Tuesday at the Organisation’s headquarters in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

 

It was part of the Centre’s activities to commemorate the 2024 International Human Rights Day.

 

Human Rights Day is observed December 10 every year

 

Speaking during the event, the Organisation’s Executive Director, George Etamesor, explained that his organisation in synergy with other partners has secured the release of over 50 inmates across the Correctional Centers in Ebonyi State.

 

The Executive Director who decried the bad condition of Correctional facilities across the country, lamented that the Abakaliki Correctional facility originally made for 370 inmates has been discovered to house over 1,000.

 

He commended the collaborative efforts of the National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council, Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Correctional Services, Nigerian Bar Association, other Civil Society Organizations, traditional institutions and the media, among others, which he said have added value to their achievements.

 

Etamesor further stated that apart interventions made in over 290 conflicts and disputes using Alternative Dispute Resolution within the year, the Centre has mediated in over 300 wide Spectrum of conflicts ranging from interpersonal to communal cases.

 

He observed that the cases of sexual and gender based violence as well as child abuse reported to HRCRC has been on the increase compared to year 2023 and attributed the development to increased awareness on the part of citizens.

 

He further disclosed that the mental health awareness and wellbeing campaign embarked upon by his organisation was gradually gaining significant acceptance across the communities in the state as evidenced in the large number of persons currently seeking professional counseling from the centre.

 

While commending the State government and the State Attorney-General, Ben Uruchi Odo, for his dedication to Alternative Dispute Resolution, Etamesor disclosed that the over 200 persons across the 14 branches and 13 LGAs of the state have been trained by HRCRC in basic human rights appreciation and advocacy,; mediation, safeguard for children and vulnerable persons.

 

He added: “The trained persons will collaborate with other actors as police, other security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders in their communities as the first responders on issues of human rights and peace building among others.

 

“We will not stop until we establish a branch in every community to deepen our grassroots presence.”

 

In an address, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, described the years theme: “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” as a wake-up call aimed at taking deliberate steps to close the gaps in human rights protection.

 

Ojukwu’s address was read by the Commission’s Chief Legal Officer in Ebonyi, Barr. Ejimnkeonye Odenyi, who represented the State Coordinator, Christopher Okorie.

 

According to the address, the NHRC has been actively involved in fighting against rights abuses, gender-based violence, including expanded sensitization, increased engagement with stakeholders, capacity building for responders and the use of social media platform for awareness creation on human rights and issues of justice.

 

He maintained that the Commission has deepened collaboration with civil society organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders to intensify their efforts and ensure a coordinated response to gender-based violence, abuses and other related vices.

 

Ojukwu emphasized: “This event is not just to remember and re-echo the universal declaration of human rights.

 

“It is rather a time to take stock on our level of compliance to this important human rights instrument with a view to ensuring that state obligations are met and citizens’ rights are protected.

 

“It is also a call to action, tasking the duty bearers not to renege on their constitutional responsibilities but to confront the gaps and obstacles that continue to hinder the full realization of these rights.”

 

Goodwill messages were received from partner CSOs, representatives of partner institutions including NAPTIP, the Police, NSCDC and other security agencies; Traditional Rulers Council, Religious bodies, among others.

 

Highlight of event was the planting of a tree in memory of the celebration which marked the 76th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.