Human rights defenders get the backing of members of House of Representatives as bill passes second reading
The House of Representatives has taken a crucial step toward safeguarding human rights defenders in Nigeria by advancing the National Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill.
Sponsored by Rep. Abiola Makinde (APC Ondo), who is the Chairman House Committee on Human Rights and Rep. Mudasiru Lukman (APC Osun), the bill, which passed second reading on Tuesday, seeks to establish a legal framework that formally recognizes and protects individuals advocating for human rights.
The proposed legislation aims to ensure that these defenders can carry out their work without fear of intimidation, violence, or discrimination.
Leading the debate, Rep. Makinde highlighted the critical role human rights defenders play in holding both government and private entities accountable, advocating for marginalized groups, and upholding constitutional and international human rights obligations.
However, he lamented that in Nigeria, many of these advocates face harassment, threats, and even violence due to their activism.
“We need to give power and strength to human rights defenders. They should be well-recognized and backed by law so they can work without fear,” Makinde stated.
He stressed that the bill aims to prevent reprisals against human rights activists while aligning Nigeria with global standards in human rights protection.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Rep. Makinde outlined the objectives of the bill, emphasizing that it seeks to:
- Ensure the effective protection and enforcement of human rights.
- Guarantee unhindered access to places, information, and resources necessary for human rights work.
- Criminalize acts of intimidation and retaliation against human rights defenders.
- Mandate public authorities to provide free access to human rights-related information.
- Establish a dedicated mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders within the National Human Rights Commission.
- Provide effective legal remedies and full reparation for violations suffered by human rights defenders.
Additionally, the bill enumerates specific rights for human rights defenders, including:
- The right to form and join associations.
- The right to solicit, receive, and utilize resources.
- The right to seek, receive, and disseminate information.
- The right to advocate and develop human rights principles.
- The right to communicate with national and international human rights bodies.
- The right to participate in public affairs and exercise freedom of assembly.
- The right to privacy and protection from intimidation, defamation, and reprisal.
Criminal Code Reforms and Clemency Efforts
Speaking with journalists after plenary, Rep. Makinde revealed that beyond the protection of human rights defenders, his committee is working on amending Nigeria’s criminal and penal codes—particularly concerning the death penalty.
“We are also coming up as part of our oversight to amend our criminal and penal code. We’ve seen situations where a minor issue in one state results in a death penalty for no reason whatsoever. I mean, you steal a broom or something small, and then you get sentenced to death,” he said.
While clarifying that the committee does not seek to abolish the death penalty entirely, he emphasized the need to reduce its application to the bare minimum.
Makinde cited the case of Sunday Jackson, a man sentenced to death for an act of self-defense, as a clear example of why Nigeria needs a more humane justice system.
“We are now in the process of engaging with the Adamawa State government because they have sentenced this gentleman to hanging. If you look at the case, it is a human rights issue. While we respect the Supreme Court’s judgment, we are pushing for clemency—so that this man can have a chance to live,” he added.
The advancement of the bill marks a significant move by lawmakers toward strengthening human rights protections in Nigeria.
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Ondo East/Ondo West federal constituency, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Rep. Makinde throughout the 10th House here
