The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is scheduled to assess Nigeria’s efforts to prevent torture and improve conditions in its detention facilities. From 8th to 19th September 2024, a delegation will thoroughly review the country’s progress, visiting prisons, police stations, psychiatric institutions, and other places where people are held. This visit is part of the United Nations’ broader initiative to advocate for human rights, primarily when people are held against their will. The SPT will commemorate its second visit to the nation, the first of which occurred more than ten years ago.
Their main goal is to assess the actions the nation has implemented since that earlier visit to tackle concerns associated with torture and the care of detainees. The UN team seeks to evaluate how well the nation observes global Human Rights protocols, focusing on ensuring that those in custody are treated with dignity and respect. This visit occurs at a pivotal moment, as the nation still contends with allegations of human rights abuses, especially within its detention centres.
Various government officials and stakeholders will engage with the team.
Oluseyi Soremekun, the National Information Officer at the United Nations Information Centre, revealed details about the upcoming visit through a media notice. The notice indicated that the group would interact with stakeholders such as government representatives, National Human Rights Commission members, and Civil Society groups. This joint initiative highlights the significance of tackling torture and other types of inhumane treatment. The visit from the SPT represents a crucial move in the country’s continual dedication to maintaining human rights, particularly for those imprisoned.
Also, the delegation will assess advancements in establishing a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) mandated by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, which the nation ratified in 2009. Creating this mechanism would mark an achievement in the nation’s initiatives to combat torture and enhance the Welfare of those in custody. Aisha Muhammad from the Maldives heads the delegation. She emphasised how vital this visit is for enhancing the nation’s dedication to stopping torture and improving protections in detention centres.
Local authorities and community groups will also take part in the process.
Other delegates include Satyabhooshun Domah from Mauritius, Andrew Nissen from South Africa, and Victor Zaharia from Moldova. The mission will be supported by experienced experts who will contribute extensive knowledge and skills, ensuring a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation of detention centres. Furthermore, the delegation will be joined by two Human Rights Officers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasising the importance of this initiative. In the past years, the nation has been scrutinised for how it handles detainees, with multiple accounts highlighting cases of torture, severe overcrowding, and inadequate conditions in its jails.
Likewise, their arrival offers a chance for the nation to tackle these issues and showcase its dedication to human rights. Engaging with local government and community organisations will create opportunities for meaningful discussions aimed at discovering lasting solutions to the challenges. The UN aims to evaluate the existing conditions and offer suggestions for enhancing the human rights structure. The team will share their initial confidential findings with the government upon their visit. These findings will focus on both issues of concern and advancements related to preventing torture and addressing the circumstances within detention centres.
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After the preliminary results, the team will compile an in-depth report outlining their suggestions. Although the report will be kept private, they must share their findings to enhance transparency and responsibility. Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the UN during this process demonstrates its commitment to advancing its human rights practices and guaranteeing humane treatment for those in custody. This visit is included in the wider structure set forth by the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, an agreement endorsed by 94 nations, including Nigeria. By engaging in this initiative, the region positions itself under global norms focused on eliminating torture and ensuring that every person, irrespective of their situation, receives dignified and respectful treatment.