Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC) Blog

            Hon. Abike Dabiri the NIDCOM Chairman said that 956 Nigerians have been rescued from prisons in Libya within three months in the year 2025. She said they were able to secure their rescue with the help of the International Organization for Migration, IOM, Nigeria and the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Offices, NCRMI. They were brought back to Nigeria in six different batches from January to March 2025, who were over 132 males, 683 females, 87 children and 54 infants.  The NIDCOM Chairman said in January 28, the first set of persons that came home were152 while 145,180 and 159 came on February 11, 19 and 25 respectively while 144 and 176 came in on March 4 and 18 respectively.  She narrated that in the last few years, over 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Libya have been evacuated back to the country with the help of the federal government and the international organization for migration...

  ·          . A double amputee  who  was given a  breathalyser  test for a drunken driving  arrest in 2024 has  sued  the city of Los Angeles  for civil  rights,  claiming that  two officers'  incompetence caused his injuries. Battery and false arrest/imprisonment are also alleged in the law suit filed by Javier Rivera Torres in Los Angeles Superior Court. He is suing the two officers punitive and compensatory damages. A request for comment on the lawsuit filed on Friday was not answered immediately by the City Attorney’s Office. According to the lawsuit, Torres uses the aid of artificial limbs and requires a mobility aid for stability and support. He was arrested on March 4, 2024, for the alleged driving under the influence DUI and was not allowed to use his walker during ...

  ·           A coalition of countries, led by Iceland and supported by Chile and South Africa, has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to take decisive action to ensure accountability for past and ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan. In a joint statement, the countries urged the Council to establish an independent investigative mechanism with a broad and comprehensive mandate. This initiative is intended to complement the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett. Bennett had previously warned that the Taliban's continued violations, particularly against women and girls, have been emboldened by the lack of international accountability. In his February report to the UNHRC, he called for a dedicated investigative b ody to support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. The joint statement also underscored growing frustrations over the European Union’s reluctance to spearhead the establishment of su...

  e   The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged Nigerians to uphold peace, justice, and respect for human rights as it joins the global community to mark the International Day of the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and the Dignity of Victims. In a statement made in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to remain steadfast in promoting truth and justice in all circumstances. He emphasized the importance of truth in fostering peace and preserving human dignity. “This day serves as a solemn reminder of our collective responsibility to uphold the truth, ensure justice, and honor the dignity of victims of human rights violations,” Dr. Ojukwu stated. He commended individuals who courageously speak out against injustices despite the risks involved. According to him, the NHRC remains dedicated to supporting such individuals and ensuring their claims are thoro...

  NHRC urges technology adoption to promote, protect human rights The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the integration of technological advancements into human rights protection, emphasising the need for ethical and regulatory frameworks to govern artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria. The NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), submitted at a high-level webinar on AI governance held at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, in collaboration with the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CSR). Dr. Ojukwu in his keynote address, described AI as an opportunity to expand the Commission’s mandate in the digital space, and not a threat. Ojukwu urged policymakers, business leaders, and civil society actors to collaborate in shaping AI policies that prioritise human dignity. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that AI innovation does not come at the expense of fundamental human rights. HCRC NEWS  Photocredit: Unsplas...

  Journalists Detained in Burkina Faso for Defending Free Expression Two journalists in Burkina Faso were detained on Monday the 24th March, 2025 and taken to an unknown destination after the media body to which they belong denounced attacks on freedom of expression, the association said. Burkina has witnessed multiple kidnappings of individuals perceived as critical of the junta since a coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traore in 2022. Earlier on Facebook, the Journalists’ Association of Burkina Faso said that members posing as intelligence police had just taken its president, Guezouma Sanogo, and deputy president, Boukari Ouoba, to an unidentified location. The two men were taken into custody at a national press centre in the capital, Ouagadougou. A few of the seven journalists who were kidnapped last year are still missing, according to other journalists who spoke at the congress. HCRC NEWS  Photocredit: Unsplash

  Nigerian Civil Society Groups Petition UN Over Alleged Erosion of Democracy in Rivers State A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations has formally petitioned the United Nations Human Rights Committee, seeking urgent intervention in what they describe as an unconstitutional subversion of democracy in Rivers State. In a strongly worded letter dated March 26, 2025, the Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CCSO) accused President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly of orchestrating an unlawful takeover of the state government, in violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The petition—signed by Egondu Esinwoke (Convener), Courage Nsirimovu (Coordinator), and 24 other civil society groups—outlines a series of alleged constitutional breaches, beginning with the political influence of former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. According to the petitioners, Wike has...

  Moroccan Activist Sentenced for Peaceful Speech A court in Casablanca, Morocco, has sentenced prominent activist Fouad Abdelmoumni to six months in prison and imposed a fine over a Facebook post, Human Rights Watch and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) reported on March 3, 2025. The Moroccan government is urged to cease its escalating crackdown on activists, journalists, and human rights defenders who are being targeted merely for exercising their right to free speech. The authorities are also called upon to overturn Abdelmoumni’s conviction. Abdelmoumni, who was abroad at the time of the ruling, was sentenced in absentia to six months' imprisonment and fined 2,000 dirhams (approximately US$208) for remarks made during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit. As a member of the Human Rights Watch Middle East and North Africa Advisory Committee, he has vowed to appeal the decision. "Dragging yet another Moroccan activist to court and sentencing him to prison simp...

  PRESS STATEMENT THE HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RIGHTS CENTRE (HCRC) REPORT ON THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE On the 18th of March, 2025, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, addressed the nation regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. In his address, the President made reference to the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on the 28th of February, 2025, concerning the ongoing crisis. He also cited recent incidents of pipeline vandalism within the state as further justification for his actions. Consequently, invoking the provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), the President declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State. Furthermore, he announced the suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly for a period of six months. HCRC’S POSITION ON THE MATTER The primary question that arises is whether the President posse...

  JAPAN’S AIR LIFT HOUSES: RECENT INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN. Introduction Earthquake is a situation that is common in places like California and Japan. It creates a very powerful impact or force on buildings and other structures. This force can lead to collapse of buildings and other structures on land. Buildings that are constructed and built ordinarily cannot withstand the shockwaves that is caused by earthquakes. An earthquake sends shockwaves to the ground. An earthquake is the shaking of the earth surface which is caused by a sudden release of energy within the earth crust. This release is called seismic waves also known as shockwaves (shear waves). It was during the 20th century, that people became knowledgeable or aware in the area of seismology. Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes. This scientific study gave answers as to how earthquake occurs. An American geologist named Harry Fielding Reid explained tectonic earthquakes. Reid created a th...

  Human Rights Watch Insists US-Russia Engagement Must Address Human Rights Abuses The Trump administration’s diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin should prioritize the release of detained Ukrainian civilians, as well as Russian citizens unjustly imprisoned for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and religion, Human Rights Watch stated today in a letter to US President Donald Trump. "Any discussions concerning the resolution of the war in Ukraine must include the release of detained civilians and the establishment of mechanisms to ensure justice for war crimes," said Sarah Yager, Washington Director at Human Rights Watch. "Regrettably, there has been no indication thus far that ongoing human rights abuses will form part of the discussions." HCRC News  Photocredit: Unsplash 

  Israel Condemns United Nations Report Alleging Crimes Against Humanity The State of Israel has strongly condemned a report by the United Nations, which accuses it of committing crimes against humanity. Critics of the report argue that, in focusing on Israel, the United Nations has neglected to address the actions of Hamas. The report, compiled by human rights lawyers and submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council, alleges that Israel has systematically destroyed healthcare facilities catering to women and has employed sexual violence as a strategy of warfare. Chris Sidoti, a representative of the Commission of Inquiry on the "Occupied Palestinian Territory," stated: "Sexual and gender-based violence is increasingly being utilized as a weapon of war by Israel to destabilize, dominate, oppress, and ultimately annihilate the Palestinian people." He further asserted that "the Commission has documented a pattern of sexual violence, including instances of...

State of Emergency in Nigeria: Legal Framework, Procedure, and Implications Introduction A state of emergency is a constitutional framework that grants the federal government powers to restore order in times of crisis. In Nigeria, this provision is enshrined in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It allows the President to declare a state of emergency when there is a threat to national security, public safety, or the functioning of government institutions. The recent declaration in Rivers State highlights the legal and procedural complexities of this emergency measure. Definition and constitutional provision of state of emergency The 1999 Constitution does not explicitly define the term "state of emergency." However, its meaning can be inferred from a combined reading of certain constitutional provisions, particularly Section 45(3), which states: "In this section, a period of emergency means any period during which there is in force a proclamation of a sta...

Press Statement  Hcrc's Position on the Supreme Court Judgment in the Case of Sunday Jackson  On March 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a controversial judgment that has sparked widespread reactions across the country. The ruling upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a man who killed an armed herdsman in what appears to have been an act of self-defense. The Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has yet to obtain a copy of the judgment at the time of this statement. Without the full text, we cannot comprehensively evaluate the reasoning behind the apex court’s decision. However, media reports have provided a summary of the case, which raises serious concerns about the administration of justice in Nigeria. Brief Facts of the Case In 2015, Sunday Jackson, a farmer and student from Dong Community in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was working on his farm in Kodomti Community, Numan Local Government Area. During this t...

  Elon Musk launches new AI chatbot Grok 3 Grok 3 is the newest artificial intelligence chatbot from renowned billionaire and U.S. special government employee Elon Musk's startup, xAI. Reports state that Musk is using the influence of former President Donald Trump to reorganize and maybe remove bureaucratic obstacles in federal agencies at the same time as the launch. Given that many of these organisations oversee Musk's numerous business endeavors, this action has sparked worries about potential conflicts of interest. Grok 3, which was unveiled on Monday, February 17, joins industry titans like China's DeepSeek and OpenAI's ChatGPT in a highly competitive AI sector. During the launch presentation, Musk emphasized the chatbot's ambitious mission: "Grok is to understand the universe. We're driven by curiosity about the nature of the universe-that's also what causes us to be a maximally truth-seeking AI, even if that truth is sometimes at odds with what i...

  UN Decries ‘Summary Executions’ of Children in DR Congo The United Nations stated Tuesday that the M23 armed group, which is supported by Rwanda, had carried out "summary executions" of children in Bukavu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is "deteriorating sharply, resulting in serious human rights violations and abuses," the UN rights office warned. “Our office has confirmed cases of summary execution of children by M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week,” rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva. “We are also aware that children were in possession of weapons,” she said, calling on “Rwanda and M23 to ensure that human rights and international humanitarian law are respected”. M23 fighters and Rwandan soldiers moved into the adjoining province of South Kivu after taking control of Goma, the city of North Kivu. On Friday, they made their way into th...

Human Rights Myanmar on Abuse Against Persons with Disabilities in Myanmar. February 17 2025 A statement was issued by Human Rights Myanmar on the 17 February in respect of its submission to the United Nation Special Rapporteur on Myanmar pertaining to the killings, torture, and persecution of persons with disabilities in Myanmar. The report contained the outrageous human rights violations committed against the persons with disabilities in Myanmar since the year 2021 coup. The report states how the military junta disregarded the domestic law and the country’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. By basing their focus on executions, extrajudicial killings, and brutal mistreatment of person in detention, Human Rights Myanmar has exposes how persons with disabilities are perceived and treated by the military. The violations also reflect broader patterns of violence and discrimination against this group of persons. The Human Rights Myanmar asserts th...

President Trump Administration Sued Over DEI, Gender Orders. February 19 2025 Civil and Human Rights Organizations Sued the Trump Administration on Wednesday over its Executive Orders targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The law suit was filed by the Legal Defence Fund and Lambda Legal on behalf of the National Urban League, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. The law suit alleges that President Trump Administration is infringing on the organizations’ right to free speech and due process that has caused the organizations to adopt DEI. The law suit also referred to Trump’s Executive Order that bears the title ‘Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government’. The president and director-counsel of LDF Janai Nelson said President Trump’s Executive Orders has the intention to tie the hands of organizations to providing legal services to those who need them most in a press relea...

  ·         On 5 March 2025, police forces in Mozambique fired upon a peaceful opposition parade in the capital, Maputo, injuring at least 16 people, including two children, Human Rights Watch reported. The parade, attended by hundreds of demonstrators who sang, cheered, and danced, was led by former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane before it was violently dispersed by security forces. The procession, consisting of a convoy of approximately six vehicles, had progressed without incident for nearly three kilometres despite a significant police presence across the city. Authorities had been deployed ahead of a political agreement signing ceremony that day, an event involving President Daniel Chapo and various political parties. However, Mondlane had been excluded from the agreement, which was intended to initiate a two-year dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s post-electoral crisis. Since October 2024, Mozambique has witnessed an unprecedented wa...

·         Gatsha is urging the government to issue a Presidential Declaration on GBV, which would facilitate resource allocation, strengthen accountability, and foster greater public engagement in tackling the crisis. Furthermore, they are advocating for the official recognition of sign language, alongside legal provisions ensuring braille accessibility and the development of inclusive infrastructure across all public facilities.

  The Right to Life and Self-Defence in Nigeria: Lessons from the Sunday Jackson Case Introduction The right to life is fundamental and enshrined in both international human rights instruments and the Nigerian Constitution. However, the concept of self-defence complicates this right, particularly when an individual is forced to use lethal force for protection. The recent Supreme Court ruling on the case of Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death for killing herdsmen in self-defence, has ignited widespread condemnation from human rights group, some which has termed the judgement of the supreme court as ‘criminalizing self-defence’. This article tends to enlighten the reader on the scope of self-defence and the conditions needed to justify the act. The Legal Framework of Self-Defence in Nigeria Under Nigerian law, self-defence is a recognized legal principle that allows an individual to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm. In section 33 of the 1999 consti...

  A human rights defender in Bahrain – a country in the Middle East was arrested on March 1, 2025, in connection with his comments on social media. Various organizations, including Human Rights Watch, said in a statement made on the 5 th March, 2025 that “We, the undersigned human rights organizations, call for the immediate release of human rights defender Ali Al Hajee, who was detained by Bahraini authorities following a police summons on Friday, 28 February 2025, and is currently held under investigation at Dry Dock Prison on charges of “misusing social media.” Al Hajee’s social media account on X was primarily used to share posts pertaining to human rights. He is a former political prisoner who was imprisoned in Bahrain for more than ten years until his release in June 2023. Al Hajee was arrested and Bahrain’s Public Prosecution ordered him to be detained for seven days pending investigation on charges of “misusing social media.” Both his prolonged interrogation and detent...

    Israeli authorities denied an orthopedic surgeon entry into Gaza last week, preventing her from providing crucial treatment to children with disabilities. One of her patients, Minah, a 3-year-old girl with a clubfoot condition, has been left without necessary treatment for months. As a result, Minah’s feet started to turn in again. The orthopedic surgeon had planned surgery to reverse the situation. Minah was casted in October 2024 after an orthopedic surgeon’s visit to Gaza. The casting, which usually requires several changes, was aimed to gradually correct the position of her feet. Minah’s case is one of many. Before October 2023, an estimated 98,000 children in Gaza had disabilities, and since then thousands of children have acquired disabilities due to Israel’s use of explosive weapons and now require reconstructive surgeries. Newborns have had almost no access to follow-up health care for 15 months, increasing risks of health complications. Despite the mid-January...