Amnesty charges national assembly to pass ‘long overdue’ anti-torture bill

Amnesty International has called on the national assembly to
ensure the speedy passage of the anti-torture bill which has been
at the national assembly since 2012.

The organisation made the call on Tuesday at a symposium and
moot court competition organised in partnership with faculty of
law, Base University, in Abuja.

The bill, which aims to criminalise torture and other inhuman
treatments, had passed its final reading but was returned to the
senate by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

Osai Ojigho, country director of AI, said passage of the bill
into law will enhance the respect for human rights in the
country.

She said although torture is contrary to the provisions of the
1999 constitution, security agencies and other perpetrators usually
get away with it.

“In Nigeria, we have been pushing for the criminalisation of
torture and we have been involving young ones in our campaigns
against some of the inhuman treatments the citizens suffer
sometimes,” she said.

“So it is important we understand what human rights are violated
through acts of torture and how we can protect ourselves from such
acts and what to do if somebody you know has been affected by
torture.

“The anti-torture bill is overdue and needs to be passed into
law considering it is very important to enhance respect for human
rights in the country. If torture is criminalised, those
perpetuating it will be punished and such will serve as a deterrent
for others.

“So, we are calling on the lawmakers to ensure such progressive
law is speedily passed; people are really hoping that the bill will
be passed before this session of the national assembly signs
off.

“What we are saying is, let the national assembly rise above
these challenges because torture should not be tolerated at all
under any circumstances.”

Amnesty International has called on the national assembly to
ensure the speedy passage of the anti-torture bill which has been
at the national assembly since 2012.

The organisation made the call on Tuesday at a symposium and
moot court competition organised in partnership with faculty of
law, Base University, in Abuja.

The bill, which aims to criminalise torture and other inhuman
treatments, had passed its final reading but was returned to the
senate by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

Osai Ojigho, country director of AI, said passage of the bill
into law will enhance the respect for human rights in the
country.

She said although torture is contrary to the provisions of the
1999 constitution, security agencies and other perpetrators usually
get away with it.

“In Nigeria, we have been pushing for the criminalisation of
torture and we have been involving young ones in our campaigns
against some of the inhuman treatments the citizens suffer
sometimes,” she said.

“So it is important we understand what human rights are violated
through acts of torture and how we can protect ourselves from such
acts and what to do if somebody you know has been affected by
torture.

“The anti-torture bill is overdue and needs to be passed into
law considering it is very important to enhance respect for human
rights in the country. If torture is criminalised, those
perpetuating it will be punished and such will serve as a deterrent
for others.

“So, we are calling on the lawmakers to ensure such progressive
law is speedily passed; people are really hoping that the bill will
be passed before this session of the national assembly signs
off.

“What we are saying is, let the national assembly rise above
these challenges because torture should not be tolerated at all
under any circumstances.”