Human Rights

Universal periodic review - Nigeria

Questions/Recommendations from New Zealand, 9 February 2009

New Zealand welcomes the delegation of Nigeria to the Council. We value this opportunity to engage with Nigeria on human rights, in addition to dialogue we enjoy through joint membership of the Commonwealth.

New Zealand recognises that, since the end of military rule, the Government of Nigeria has made some progress in improving its human rights record and that it continues to face challenges from the legacy of that former period. However, we remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Nigeria, noting in particular that impunity continues to exist for many human rights violators.

Human Rights challenges remain, including continued use of the death penalty, extrajudicial executions, including of minors, high incidences of sexual exploitation and assault against women and children, racial discrimination, and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion.

New Zealand has three recommendations and one question to submit:

1. Strengthening and actively supporting the work of the National Human Rights Commission was one of Nigeria’s campaign pledges for election to the Human Rights Council in 2006. A fully functioning institution could play a significant role in promoting respect for human rights in Nigeria. New Zealand recommends that the Government of Nigeria guarantee the independence of the National Human Rights Commission and that it take the necessary steps to enable the NHRC to regain its “A” rating, in compliance with the Paris Principles.
2. Nigeria’s national report makes reference in paragraph 67 to development of a National Action Plan for the promotion and protection of human rights. In line with Nigeria’s Human Rights Council election pledge, New Zealand recommends that the National Action Plan include concrete and time-bound steps to accelerate the process of full domestication of all international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is Party, with particular priority on the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
3. In 2008 CEDAW expressed its concern at the very high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, which we understand is the second highest globally. Can the delegation share information as to how the National Action Plan and cooperative initiatives are attempting to reduce the high rates of maternal mortality?
4. New Zealand notes with concern reports that execution of prisoners on death row continue to be carried out. New Zealand recommends an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty and that all current death sentences be commuted.

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