Civil Rights Council has called on Civil Societies Organization(CSOs) in Nigeria not to compromise on the fight against human rights abuses in the country.
The National coordinator of Civil Rights Council, Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna who is also a legal practitioner disclosed that it is unfortunate that most Civil Society Organizations in the country has failed on their mandate of protecting citizen’s rights.
He said “Civil Society Organizations owes it as a duty to ensure the right of citizens are protected”.
Barrister Arochukwu also admonished the Youth to channel their energy towards the fight against human rights abuses instead of indulging in criminality.
He called on the Youth to employ legitimate means in engaging state and non-actors who violate the rights of its citizens.
Earlier in his Welcome address, the National coordinator of Civil Rights Council explained that the significance of marking the International Human Rights day every 10 December is to remind the people of basic rights they are inherently entitled to as Human beings irrespective of their race,colour,religion,sex,language,political,societal status among others.
He maintained that the fight is a fight for everyone.
The legal practitioner explained that the International community recognizes the importance of involving young people as agents of change in human rights struggle and that is why the theme for 2019 International Day is “Youth Standing Up For Human Rights “.
He added that members of Civil Rights Council have incurred a solemn responsibility to be the voice of the voiceless and the defender of all the that is right and just.
Charles Edward Obioha,the speaker who spoke to journalists on the sideline of the event said “when your rights are violated, you need to complain, you don’t just say let God Judge “.
He explained that when victims of human rights abuses fail to complain there is nothing anybody can do. The guest lecturer in his lecture identified legitimate means of seeking redress in law court for victims of human rights abuses and what constitutes human rights violation.
In his speech, Prince Wiro,Chairman of Civil Rights Council, Rivers State disclosed to the members of the Council different interventions the Council has made in the year. He stated that the organization will be more aggressive in the fight against human rights abuses next year.
In his closing remarks, Sebastian Kpalap, Chairman of Port Harcourt Civil Rights Council urged every member of the organization to be actively involved in the fight for human rights.
Mercy Christopher Esq legal Adviser of Civil Rights Council, Ambassador Green Isaac ,National Organizing Secretary of Civil Rights Council, Jim George, leader of Diobu unit 1,Civil Rights Council, Denilson Amachree leader of Diobu Unit 2 Civil Rights Council among others were all in attendance.
The highlight of the event was the question and answers session where members asked pertinent questions as regards issues of human rights.
