The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is to honour individuals and organisations that have excelled in the protection and promotion of human rights in the country.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, said the potential honourees would be conferred with different categories of the commission’s Human Rights Awards on Dec. 10.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NHRC Human Rights Awards event is part of activities marking the 2016 Human Rights Day billed to hold on Dec. 10.
To make the ceremony a success, the commission has appointed Abuja-based civil society organisation, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), as a partner in hosting the event.
Angwe conveyed this decision in a letter dated Oct. 31, and addressed to the Executive Director of CASER, Mr Frank Tietie, in Abuja.
According to the letter, CASER’s choice was informed by its “work and experience in the promotion of socio-economic rights in Nigeria’’.
The organisation’s major responsibility under the partnership is to generate credible award recipients, who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the promotion of human rights.
Tietie told NAN that the award nominees would be drawn from the results of a nationwide poll to be conducted by “a reputable polling service provider’’.
He explained that three nominees would be presented in each of the 10 award categories to a selection committee made up of representatives of civil society organisations and NHRC officials.
One of the categories is `Improving Human Rights Record Award’ to be conferred on a government institution formerly indicted for human rights violations but has taken committed steps to improve its record.
NAN
