Human Rights Day : Nigeria
Goodwill Message from High Commissioner Dr Andrew Pocock, in Abuja for World Human Rights Day
The UK is pleased to join the EU and many others in celebrating World Human Rights Day in Nigeria.
At a time when the insurgency in the north-east is inflicting great damage and suffering, the UK remains committed to supporting the Nigerian Government in fighting terrorism and protecting civilians. Indeed, the protection of the civilian population and their rights is fundamental to the success of those efforts.
The UK also joins with others in encouraging all Nigerian States to observe the moratorium on the use of the death penalty; to implement the optional protocol on the UN Convention against Torture; and to domesticate and implement the Child Rights Act and the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination against Women.
The protection and advancement of human rights is not only a central responsibility of the State and its institutions, but also of all Nigerians, and citizens of the world. So the UK is proud to reaffirm its support for human rights in Nigeria on World Human Rights Day.”