By Saminu Ibrahim
The National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) has called for an end to all forms of modern day slavery, to pave the way for full enjoyment of human rights in Nigeria by all the rural and urban poor, the rich, the downtrodden, the displaced and the homeless.
The commission made the call to commemorate to commemorate the 2020 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and theTransatlantic Slave Trade (IDRVS).
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq who stated this on the eve of the 2020 IDRVS noted that despite the abolition of slave trade several decades ago, many countries including Nigeria are stillgrappling with other forms of modern day slavery such as human trafficking, sexual slavery, child/forced labour, prostitution, enlistment of minors in military service, servitude or removal of organ for pecuniary benefits and other cast systems.
Ojukwu observed that the theme of this year’s remembrance, “ConfrontingSlavery’s Legacy of Racism Together”, is apt given the fact that racismplays a critical role in promoting slavery.
According to the Executive Secretary, the long-term effects of transatlantic slave trade which also have some trappings of racism still reverberate across various societies globally.
He said all hands must be on deck to fight the menace, saying it is high time humanity came to terms with the tenets of human rights which is targeted at enhancing human dignity, equality and respect for fundamental freedoms.
“The relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other regional and international human rightsinstruments to which Nigeria is a signatory, all condemn slavery in all itsramifications” Ojukwu stated.
The Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria therefore decried the disturbing trend where young Nigerian men, women and girls are trafficked to various parts of the world including Saudi Arabia, Italy, Libya etc in the name of searching for greener pasture only for them to become stranded and face various forms of inhuman and degrading treatments.
He disclosed that the Commission is working assiduously with relevant agencies to stem the tide of all forms of modern day slavery, servitude andother related practices.
He condemned the action of some parents locking up members of the families in solitary and inhuman confinements for years with little or no food thereby denying them of their human rights.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary urged members of the public to bevigilant and report any suspected migration, child abuse/molestation andthe attendant human rights violations to the Commission, NAPTIP or the Police, for necessary interventions accordingly.
International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed on August 23 annually.
