HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 43RD REGULAR SESSION AGENDA ITEM 3:
INDIVIDUAL INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE
28TH FEBRUARY, 2020
STATEMENT BY NIGERIA
Madam President,
Nigeria aligns itself with the statement of the African Group. We thank the Special Rapporteur of the incisive report, and acknowledge efforts by the Special Rapporteur in the execution of his mandate.
2. Nigeria reiterates its strong condemnation of all acts of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. The Nigerian Government has continued to adopt measures in order to strengthen its legal and institutional frameworks for the prevention of torture. A number of reforms have been carried out, with a view to ensuring that all persons are treated with dignity. Some of the reforms includes; the passage of the Anti-Torture Act in 2017, the reform of the criminal justice system, which has resulted in the recent signing into law of the Correctional Service Act, thereby changing the erstwhile Nigerian Prisons Service, to Nigerian Correctional Service. The Act has provisions that are aimed at ensuring the dignity of the human person, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and the Anti Torture Act.
3. Furthermore, the Nigerian Police, and in particular the Special Anti-Robbery Squad are undergoing reforms, with a view to ensure proper investigation of allegations of human rights violations, so that perpetrators are held accountable. Also, our National Human Rights Commission, in collaboration with other stakeholders, have been engaging the military, police and other law enforcement agencies on the imperative of mainstreaming human rights in their operations to further safeguard human rights.
4. To conclude, Nigeria reaffirms its determination to continue to prohibit all forms of torture, and to uphold human dignity in all circumstances. We are committed to ensuring that all perpetrators of torture are investigated and brought to justice.
I thank you
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INDIVIDUAL INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE
28TH FEBRUARY, 2020
STATEMENT BY NIGERIA
Madam President,
Nigeria aligns itself with the statement of the African Group. We thank the Special Rapporteur of the incisive report, and acknowledge efforts by the Special Rapporteur in the execution of his mandate.
2. Nigeria reiterates its strong condemnation of all acts of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. The Nigerian Government has continued to adopt measures in order to strengthen its legal and institutional frameworks for the prevention of torture. A number of reforms have been carried out, with a view to ensuring that all persons are treated with dignity. Some of the reforms includes; the passage of the Anti-Torture Act in 2017, the reform of the criminal justice system, which has resulted in the recent signing into law of the Correctional Service Act, thereby changing the erstwhile Nigerian Prisons Service, to Nigerian Correctional Service. The Act has provisions that are aimed at ensuring the dignity of the human person, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and the Anti Torture Act.
3. Furthermore, the Nigerian Police, and in particular the Special Anti-Robbery Squad are undergoing reforms, with a view to ensure proper investigation of allegations of human rights violations, so that perpetrators are held accountable. Also, our National Human Rights Commission, in collaboration with other stakeholders, have been engaging the military, police and other law enforcement agencies on the imperative of mainstreaming human rights in their operations to further safeguard human rights.
4. To conclude, Nigeria reaffirms its determination to continue to prohibit all forms of torture, and to uphold human dignity in all circumstances. We are committed to ensuring that all perpetrators of torture are investigated and brought to justice.
I thank you
******