NGO tasks government on compliance with UN torture law

In commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, yesterday, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes human rights for people in prisons, PRAWA, called on the Nigerian government to comply with its reporting obligations to the Committee Against Torture in line with Article 19 of the Convention Against Torture (CAT).

The organisation also urged government to quickly take actions to implement the 2021 CAT Concluding Observations and Recommendations to Nigeria.

It said the continued inability to obey conventions and other unsavoury conducts were further impugning Nigeria’s reputation among the comity of nations.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Uju Agomoh, PRAWA explained that torture has been described by the United Nations as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by people on their fellow human beings.

“Torture is a crime against humanity, which is said to seek annihilation of the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. United Nations Convention Against Torture provides for absolute prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and calls on all nations of the world to do so in their national laws,” it added.