Legislative Retreat on Human Rights Defenders Bill
On Tuesday, October 23, 2024, a legislative retreat of the Nigeria House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights on the Human Rights Defenders Bill was organized by Development Dynamics and Partnership for Justice with Support from the Embassy of France in Nigeria. The Human Rights Defenders (draft) Bill, 2024,being worked on by the committee was presented. It consists of five parts and 39 sections, each covering various rights, obligations, and protections for human rights defenders. Part One outlines the purpose of the Bill and definesa human rights defender. Part Two outlines the rights and responsibilities of human rights defenders. Part Three describes the obligations of public authorities to protect the rights of thedefenders. Part Four establishes the mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders. Finally, Part Five provides definitions and clarifies the scope of application of the law.
The highlight of the retreat was the adoption of the draft bill by honorable members of the Federal House Committee on Human Rights. The one-day retreat which held at Reiz Continental Hotel Abuja had in attendance, members of Federal House Committee on Human Rights, a representative of the Executive Secretory, National Human Rights Commission, and resource persons. The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman Alani, led other Committee members to the retreat. Other Committee members in attendance included Hon. John Dafaan Moenwul, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, Hon. Sanya Omirin Emmanuel, Hon. Mark Useni, Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, and Hon. Jafar Ali Mohammed. Hon. Mudashiru Alani promised that the draft bill would be presented to the House within a month from the day of the retreat.