nationalactionplanforthepromotionandprotectionof.docVIP

National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria 2009 - 2013 Federal Republic of Nigeria Index of Contents 1. Introduction and Background P.3 2. Organizing Structures and Consultative Processes P.8 3. The Nature of the Rights Contained in the NAP P.9 4. Framework for Discussion of Each Right P.11 5. Civil and Political Rights P.17 6. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights P.57 7. Right to Sustainable Development, Peace and a Protected Environment P.78 8. Rights of Women, Children and Young Persons P.92 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1 A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA The history of human rights in Nigeria predates the advent of colonial rule. Human rights and fundamental freedoms were recognised in the traditional Nigerian societies. The idea of rights was not, however, conceived in the modern notion. Such values as right to family, kin and clan membership, freedom of thought, speech, belief, right to enjoy private property and right to participate in governance of the affairs of the society were jealously guarded. However, freedom from discrimination, right to association and equality rights were hardly respected because it was believed all men were not born equal as there were slaves and sons of the land, outcastes and freeborn etc. Also, in areas where the Sharia legal system was firmly entrenched, especially in the Northern part of the country, human rights and fundamental freedoms were specifically protected and guaranteed in accordance with the tenets of Islam which hold justice and equity in high esteem. When Colonialism came, it brought with it a new set of rights but largely denied Nigerian’s political and economic rights. It was not until 1922, through the Clifford Constitution, that limited franchise was introduced for the first time in Nigeria by the British Colonial government. The struggle for better political part