The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Netherlands are set to collaborate to advance the course of human rights in Nigeria.
The Commission recently played host to the Human Rights Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency W.J.P. (Wim) Geerts, on a courtesy visit to its headquarters in Abuja. The meeting dwelled on the Commission's drive for strategic international partnerships in advancing human rights protection in Nigeria.
The Director of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Mr. Harry Obe, who represented the Executive Secretary of the NHRC provided an overview of the Commission's operations, highlighting its consistent focus on upholding human rights principles and maintaining its prestigious 'A' status accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
He also talked about the Commission's extensive reach with offices in all 36 states and specialized departments addressing thematic human rights issues.
The Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary Mr. Hillary Ogbonna along with other directors of the Commission in their various remarks did not shy away from addressing the challenges facing the Commission, including limited funding relative to its vast mandate, a high volume of rights violations in a diverse and populous country, and logistical hurdles in achieving nationwide accessibility. The cultural and religious country’s diversity also poses unique challenges in rights enforcement and advocacy.
The Netherlands Ambassador expressed his interest in learning about the Commission's operations, collaboration with civil society organizations, and human rights priorities. He lauded the Commission's commitment and reiterated the Netherlands' interest in supporting human rights globally.
The meeting came to an end with mutual hopes for deeper collaboration. Collaboration remains key to the work of the Commission, which is committed to the Promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.
