| Over the years, Nigeria has been renowned for being the “Giant of Africa.” Such a title is expected to evoke a country with much responsibility, a leading example to other countries with great latitude of leverage in the diplomatic space. However, that is not the case where it matters.
Recently, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) election took place, which provides opportunities for countries to secure a seat in this coveted space. The body’s main role is to uphold and promote fundamental rights worldwide. Consisting of 47 member states, countries have three chances a year to show what they have achieved in advancing human rights. The benefits of having a seat and a voice at the table of global affairs are immense, giving one the assumption regarding Nigeria’s role in the African continent; it should garner the necessary votes to be elected or at least be in the running. Nigeria garnered a miserly three votes.
In contrast, the council saw four African countries secure their seats, including Ghana (179 votes), Burundi (168 votes), Malawi (182 votes), and Côte d’Ivoire (181 votes) respectively. It’s no secret Nigeria’s human rights record over the years has continued on a downward trend with flagrant abuse by its security forces for the illegal arrest and incarceration of its citizens without trial. In our previous publications, HRF highlighted the report of the Nigerian military participating in the strategy of forced abortion performed on the girls raped by the Islamic militants has thrown human rights organizations and civil societies into shock and dismay.
In addition to lives and properties lost to Islamic terrorist groups, kidnappers, and armed bandits, causing mayhem with impunity, Nigeria is replete with reports of election fraud and voting irrgularities. With a poor record of democratic norms, it’s no surprise at the level of humiliation with only three votes.
Unless the current administration makes an effort to rebrand Nigeria’s image abroad by curbing the human rights violations, it would be an understatement to say Nigeria is at the precipice of becoming the laughing stock of the African continent.
|
0 Comments