AS the world celebrates Day for Human Rights, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said over 500 cases of human rights violations have been recorded within the past two years in Anambra State.
The State Co-ordinator, Mrs Nkechi Ugwuanyi, who read the statement by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, made this known during an advocacy and road walk tour of some communities in Aguata and Orumba North Council Areas of the state.
She said cases of domestic violence, such as rape, child abuse and inheritance issues in families ranked among prevalent complaints received by the agency between year 2017 and 2018.
According to her, the state has a large number of cases revolving around inheritance right and land disputes bordering on the demise of one’s husband or inability of a couple to give birth to a male child.
‘’We have cases of family members taking over a late man’s properties just because the wife could not give birth to a male child, there are cases on land inheritance.
“There are cases of people that have lost their parents and family members recognise that they are unable to defend themselves in the court of law, they gang up and decide to take their land ,’’Ugwuanyi said.
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She, however, said that the advocacy tour was to create awareness on human rights and legal instruments to protect rights such as child right act, the universal declaration on human rights, constitution and African Charter.
The Co-Ordinator, noted that it was part of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) established in 1943, stating that the agency was determined to ensure the protection of rights of the citizenry.
While describing the theme of the anniversary commemoration “Stand Up For Human Rights’’ as apt, she stated that over the years the agency had adopted the use of ADR in resolving most cases.
“The method through which we resolve the cases of human right violations is mainly through Mediation or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). By this, we invite the violator and the people they wronged and we look into the matter and proffer solutions to them on how best to put the crisis to an end,’’ she added.
She enjoined the people to always stand up for their right, speak out against right violations, and report all forms of injustice, domestic violence and child abuse cases to the agency for prompt intervention.
‘’We want to encourage the respect of human rights in the state, as we all know that when this happens, the people in Anambra will live in peace,’’ Ugwuanyi said.
Founder of SafeNet, a Non Governmental Organization that focuses on fighting against child abuse and domestic violence, Mrs Oluchukwu Chukwuenyem decried increasing cases of child molestation and violence in the state and called for a concerted effort to stem the tide.
The Vice-President General, Nanka Development Union, Mr Timothy Okoye, described the advocacy visit as educative which served as an avenue for creating awareness on human rights, stating that such visits should be sustained to promote peaceful co-existence in communities.
In a health lecture presentation on diabetes, Lady Nma Agwuna, said the condition could be managed with proper medication, nutrition and exercise, dismissing the belief that it is a terminal illness.
She, then, urged people both affected or living with the condition to exercise their body regularly, minimize sugary products intake and maintain healthy living to promote longevity.
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