FG to Go Against Security Agencies Invloved in Torture of Suspects

  • Apata states that torture is acceptable even during a war.
  • Speaks on UN Convention against torture.

The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to move against any security agency in the country found complicit in the torture of suspects in custody.

The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, said the government would henceforth, pay attention to the enforcement of International conventions Nigeria entered against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Apata, who is currently in charge of the Justice Ministry, declared this in a statement, on Wednesday, he presented at a ceremony that was held to commemorate the 2019 United Nations (UN) Day in support of victims of torture.

READ: ‘I Cried Until Tears Couldn’t Run from My Eyes Again’, Zainab Speaks on Her Prison Experience in Saudi Arabia

Apata who noted that Nigeria had on June 28, 2001, ratified the convention against torture it signed since June 28, 1988 explained in order to ensure that this Declaration of United Nations Convention Against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment does not merely remain as a declaration without any coercive powers and indeed in order that this lofty idea is implemented by nation States or state parties, the United Nations went a step further by the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Speaking on the importance of the Convention which is an important step in the process of globalizing human rights and acknowledging the torture, inhuman and degrading treatment because which is not permitted even in times of war, Apata said the right to freedom from torture is non-negotiable.

“The application of torture to extract a confession from suspects or as a way of punishment amounts to a by-pass of the judicial process by not subjecting the suspect to the time-honoured practice of trial of suspects in the regular courts.

“Section 34 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended prohibits the infliction of torture.

“Additionally, Articles 5 & 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nation Convention on Torture, inhuman and degrading treatment to which Nigeria is a signatory, all prohibit the use of Torture.

“There is no doubting the fact that millions of persons, families and groups suffer from torture throughout the world.’

READ ALSO: Medical Doctor Remanded In Prison Over Death of Corps Member in Nasarawa State

While noting that It is one of the cruellest human rights violations which cause severe physical pain and psychological trauma to victims, he pointed that torture also dehumanizes and inflicts emotional scars which many victims take to their graves.

“Violation of human rights is unacceptable”, he added.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *