Fundamental human rights are among major components in constitutions of countries across the globe. Sadly, in a sizable number of countries in Africa, the curtailment and derogation of the rights of citizens have become prominent in recent times.Arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention without trial, physical torture, and several other forms of inhuman treatment perpetrated by law enforcement and security agents have continued with impunity, with influential personalities in Nigeria featuring as sponsors. In the last five years or there about, an unspecified number of Nigerians have had their rights trampled upon with impunity. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head, and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabiut Olagoke opines that the Federal Government must cultivate the habit of respecting the rights of Nigerians for democracy to thrive. Excerpts :
How can Government institutions established to ensure and protect the fundamental human rights of Nigerians be empowered in this democratic dispensation?
The issue of respect for fundamental human rights became a serious concern for humanity after World war 2.
Unfortunately, most African countries lead by deceit when it comes to the implementation stage of domesticated laws. Hence, the usual state of chaos and records of human rights violations as always recurring : arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention without trial, physical torture, and several other forms of inhuman treatment perpetrated by law enforcement and security agents. The violation of the rights of the people has different phases-behavioral, economic, environmental, etc. All these usually lead to the creation of a hostile environment for government activities in the areas of the provision of basic amenities leading to the introduction of poverty, hunger, and diseases while the areas of functional infrastructure as the backbone to the reality of industrialization equally suffer a lot to detriment of true development and the welfare of the people!
Democratic governance can only thrive in an environment of respect for the people's rights which happen to be the focus of every faith-based organization in their expected activities of cloning the adherents into disciplined citizens. If this had been followed, the elements of patriotism for the nation to thrive and respect for our leaders to motivate them into good performances would have produced good synergy between government and the houses of worship in an environment of divinity in which peaceful co-existence is best realized.
The respect for the human rights of Nigerians is sacrosanct to achieving a bequeath able legacy of sustainable development for the nation.
