President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Nigerian government under him respects human rights. Buhari made the remarks during the inauguration of the governing board of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in Abuja, Monday.

The president notes: “It is known fact that the present government had complied with the award of damages for victims of the 2012 Apo killings of Okada riders by security agents, as well complied with the 2018 White paper recommendations on Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police”.

In the remarks made on his behalf by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Buhari further notes: “The disbandment of SARS and the setting up of Various panels of Inquiry investigating and awarding damages for human rights violations by SARS is a clear testimony to the fact that this government is fulfilling its international obligation to set up an independent National Human Rights Commission for the Promotion and protection of the rights of Nigerians.”

The Commission was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1995 in fulfillment of its international obligation pursuant to 20th Dec 1993 Resolution 48/134 of the United Nations General Assembly that enjoined all member States to establish National Human Rights Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

The Government amended the NHRC Act in 2010 for its operational independence by entrenching the tenure of members and ensuring adequate funding and effectiveness of the Commission.

Following the 2010 NHRC Amendment Act, members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate before appointment letters are issued.

The Commission under the Amendment Act, among other duties, is to protect and promote the human rights of Nigerians and persons living in Nigeria without fear or favor in line with the Paris Principles and

should advise the government properly in the fulfillment of its international human rights obligations.

Also in line with the 2010 amendment act the funds of the Commission are now under the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

This means that funds appropriated for the Commission are released one hundred percent to perform its functions.

In discharging their functions members of the Council are guided by the Act, and relevant Government Circulars on tenure, the part-time mandate of members except the Executive Secretary, emoluments, Also, in discharging their duties, the Act provides that members are bound by the Code of Conduct for Public Officials which means they should take an oath of office before the resumption of duties.

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