International Human Rights Day: RULAAC Urges Govt on Commitment to Obligations

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, says the theme for this year’s International Human Rights Day t is a powerful reminder that human rights are not abstract ideals reserved for speeches and annual observances. Instead, RULAAC said human rights are practical, everyday essentials that enable people to live in dignity, with guarantees of access to clean water, food, healthcare, housing, education, justice, and freedom of expression. In a commemorative statement released by its Executive Director, OKECHUKWU NWANGUMA, RULAAC maintained that human rights are the bedrock of a peaceful, just and inclusive society. However, NWANGUMA noted that despite the laudable ideals, “Yet, across Nigeria today, these essentials remain out of reach for millions due to governance failures, systemic corruption, insecurity, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Basic rights meant to be guaranteed by the Nigerian state have become privileges accessible only to the wealthy, well-connected, or powerful.” Among other demands, the group said Nigeria must demonstrate genuine commitment to its human rights obligations, as it calls on the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate real, measurable commitment to fulfilling its constitutional and international human rights obligations. “Nigeria is a signatory to multiple global and regional human rights instruments - but the lived realities of citizens continue to contradict these commitments.” - Access to Clean Water: Communities across the country struggle with contaminated or unavailable water sources, forcing millions - including children - to rely on unsafe water that endangers their health and dignity. - Healthcare: The collapse of primary healthcare systems, chronic underfunding, and lack of essential medicines continue to cost lives, especially among women, children, and rural populations. - Education: Insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, out-of-school children, and rising school fees are undermining the right to quality and accessible education. - Freedom of Expression: Journalists, activists, dissenting voices, and ordinary citizens continue to face harassment, arbitrary arrest, intimidation, and digital surveillance for exercising their constitutional rights. - Safety and Security: Widespread insecurity - including police brutality, extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, and communal violence - underscores the state’s failure to protect life and ensure justice. “These persistent violations highlight a governance system that is failing to prioritize human dignity. Urgent Actions Required from the Nigerian Government To align with the 2025 Human Rights Day theme, RULAAC urges the government to take immediate steps, including: 1. Prioritise basic social services through transparent budgeting and efficient delivery in water, healthcare, and education sectors. 2. Guarantee freedom of expression and civic participation, ensuring that journalists, activists, and citizens can speak without fear of reprisal. 3. End impunity in law enforcement by implementing meaningful police reforms, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and ensuring investigations and accountability for abuses. 4. Address insecurity through rights-respecting strategies, focusing on intelligence, prevention, community engagement, and justice - not repression. 5. Strengthen anti-corruption measures to ensure public resources translate into improved public services and better living conditions. 6. Protect vulnerable groups - including children, women, persons with disabilities, displaced persons, and the poor - whose rights are most frequently violated. Human Rights Must Be at the Centre of Governance As the world marks Human Rights Day 2025, the Nigerian government must recognise that human rights are not optional reforms or lofty aspirations. They are obligations - binding, enforceable, and central to governance. Ensuring access to water, healthcare, education, justice, and freedom is not charity; it is the duty of the state. Nigeria cannot continue to pledge allegiance to human rights abroad while violating or neglecting them at home. RULAAC’s Commitment RULAAC reaffirms its unwavering dedication to monitoring, documenting, and challenging human rights violations; supporting victims; promoting police accountability; and advocating for a Nigeria where human rights are the lived reality of every citizen, every day. Human rights are our everyday essentials - and the foundation upon which Nigeria’s peace, justice, and development must be built.