NHRC to get increased funding

Senator Dahiru stated this yesterday at the opening of a five-day training for African national human rights agencies by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Sweden in Abuja.He informs that the National Assembly is presently considering a bill to include the NHRC’s budget on first line charge. He expressed optimism that the increased funding will strengthen […]

Senator Dahiru stated this yesterday at the opening of a five-day training for African national human rights agencies by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Sweden in Abuja.
He informs that the National Assembly is presently considering a bill to include the NHRC’s budget on first line charge. He expressed optimism that the increased funding will strengthen the work of the commission.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Professor Bem Angwe said the training will boost the capacity of African countries to advocate for increased human rights in areas such as food, shelter, education and eradication of poverty.
Angwe said the training will provide participants with foundational knowledge of international human rights law, and the opportunity to share best practices and experience from their respective institutions.
He further expressed gratitude to the Senate and the President for the approval of February 25, 2011 Act that re-upgraded the NHRC to Grade A which will enable it to perform its mandate in line with the 1991 Paris Principles of Human Rights and 1993 resolution of the United Nations General Assembly.
Also speaking, the Executive Director Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), Mr Gilbert Sebihogo tasked the African national commissions to protect their independence in order to promote human rights in their respective countries.
Twenty participants from different countries are participating in the week-long programme. Some of the participating countries include: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Sudan.