In this sense, human rights education at secondary school levels helps make informed knowledge about human rights where students can boldly contribute to the protection of human rights and support communities and societies where the human rights of all are valued and respected.

This is true because the international community has increasingly expressed consensus on the crucial contribution of human rights education (HRE) to the realization of human rights as well as to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses and violent conflicts.

Interestingly, provisions on HRE, and in particular within the school system, have been incorporated into many international instruments, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Therefore in the school system, HRE is an important component of the right to education, as it enables the education system to fulfill its fundamental aims of promoting the full development of the human personality and appreciation of human dignity, strengthening respect for human rights and of delivering a quality education for all.

Similarly, in 2004, the international community launched the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005–ongoing) to advance the implementation of HRE programs in all sectors and as a follow-up to the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995–2004), and decided to focus its first phase (2005–2009) on the integration of HRE in the primary and secondary school systems.

In my final submission, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to implore the national authorities responsible for Nigeria school system to integrate HRE in our schools as it contributes to improving the effectiveness of the education system as a whole, which in turn contributes to a country’s economic, social and political development and provide:

1. Improved quality of learning achievements by promoting child-centred and participatory teaching and learning practices and processes, as well as a new role for the teaching profession;

2. Increased access to and participation in schooling by creating a human rights-based learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming and fosters universal values, equal opportunities, respect for diversity, and non-discrimination;

3. A contribution to social cohesion and conflict prevention by supporting the social and emotional development of the child and by introducing democratic citizenship and values.

With this achieved, we may hope that they, in turn, would play their role in keeping the light of justice, freedom, and peace shining for future generations.

Once again, I thank you all for coming, and may we have a fruitful session of discussions and enlightenment at this program.

H.E. Ambassador (Dr.) Duru Hezekiah
Ambassador-at-Large/Head of Diplomatic Mission, IHRC Nigeria

Reported by the Department of Media, IHRC Nigeria.

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December 10 2023 marks the 75th Anniversary of one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

Available in more than 500 languages, it enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

The International Human Rights Commission IHRC Branch in Nigeria will mark the UDHR 75th Anniversary at Novare Central Abuja on Friday 8, December 2023, focusing on education and awareness, legal frameworks, institutional capacity building, amongst others, culminating in a high-level event which comprises secondary school students to consolidate global pledges and ideas for a vision for the future of human rights.

The Commission’s Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah in a statement made available by its Head of Media and Strategic Communications Mr. Fidelis Onakpoma, said this year’s theme on ‘Consolidating and Sustaining a Human Rights Culture into the Future’, involves several key considerations, which may include education and awareness, legal frameworks, institutional capacity building, empowering marginalized groups, and international cooperation.

He said promoting human rights education and raising awareness about human rights principles and values is crucial and it can be done through formal education systems, community outreach programs, and media campaigns to ensure that individuals are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

“Enacting and enforcing laws that safeguard civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights are essential in establishing and strengthening legal frameworks that protect human rights and ensure access to justice and accountability mechanisms for human rights violations.”, he averred.

Meanwhile, building the capacity of institutions responsible for upholding human rights is vital. This includes training law enforcement agencies, judiciary, and civil society organizations to effectively promote and protect human rights, he maintained.

Furthermore, Dr. Duru affirmed that addressing the specific challenges faced by marginalized groups is crucial for consolidating a human rights culture, adding that collaboration and cooperation at regional and international levels will play a significant role in consolidating and sustaining a human rights culture.

He urged African countries to work together, share best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences while engaging with international human rights mechanisms and organizations that can provide support and guidance in promoting human rights.

Reported
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC in Nigeria
December 6, 2023.

The post NGA: IHRC to Mark United Nations Human Rights Day in Abuja first appeared on ihrc.news.

Reported:

Fidelis Onakpoma

Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC in Nigeria

The post November 25: IHRC Upholds Actions to Curb Violence Against Women, Girls. first appeared on ihrc.news.