FG urges India to protect Nigerians in detention centres

Detailed summary

The Federal Government has called on India to ensure the welfare, dignity and protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians held in custodial centres across the country.…

The Federal Government has called on India to ensure the welfare, dignity and protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians held in custodial centres across the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a meeting with a joint high-level delegation of the National Human Rights Commissions of Nigeria and India at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

According to a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the minister expressed concern over the treatment of Nigerians serving in custodial centres in India and called for appropriate attention to their welfare and human rights.

She said, “The MoU on Cooperation between the NHRCs is a timely initiative for the translation of the longstanding Nigeria-India relations into practical institutional cooperation on the promotion of human rights. There is the need to strengthen access to justice, improve complaint-handling mechanisms and protect the rights of persons in vulnerable circumstances, ensuring equitable access to essential support and services for them.

“Nigeria and India have an opportunity to contribute constructively to a more inclusive international human rights architecture, as members of the Global South.

“I call on the Indian government to ensure the humane and proper treatment of Nigerian citizens serving in custodial centres in the country, and that they receive appropriate attention to their welfare, dignity and fundamental human rights.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, added that the protection of vulnerable persons and access to justice should remain central to the growing human rights cooperation between both countries.

The Minister’s appeal comes as Nigeria and India strengthened their human rights partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between their respective National Human Rights Commissions.

The agreement is expected to promote institutional cooperation…

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