NHRC July Human Rights Dashboard Highlights Rising Violations, Calls for Greater Accountability
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has presented its July Human Rights Dashboard, highlighting emerging human rights concerns across the country and calling for stronger action and accountability from all stakeholders.
The presentation featured remarks by the Executive Secretary of the Commission and Hope Behind Bars Africa, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NHRC and Hope Behind Bars Africa, aimed at strengthening collaboration on human rights protection and access to justice.
The July Dashboard recorded a 20% increase in complaints compared with June, bringing the total number of complaints received to 354,997 .The North-Central region continued to record the highest number of complaints, while Benue State emerged as the leading state among the top 10 for the first time. The Dashboard also recorded a sharp increase in complaints relating to law enforcement and the rule of law.
Among the violations recorded were 23 cases of rape, seven cases of sexual abuse and 3,426 cases of domestic violence. The Commission also resolved 10,084 complaints during the month, with the North-East recording the highest number of resolved complaints.
Key Human Rights Concerns
The July Dashboard recorded 382 killings and 230 kidnapping incidents, alongside continuing attacks affecting the right to food and food security.
Other concerns highlighted included violence against children, sexual and gender-based violence, infanticide, gruesome murders, mass killings and abductions, attacks on cultural and religious rights, violations of the right to education, and abuses involving internally displaced persons (IDPs). Increasing mob attacks and the killing of vigilantes were also recorded.
The presentation also acknowledged successful rescue operations by security agencies, highlighting the importance of coordinated interventions in protecting lives and restoring rights.
From Documentation to Accountability
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary emphasised that addressing the human rights challenges reflected in the Dashboard is not the responsibility of the NHRC alone. While the Dashboard provides an important mechanism for documenting and drawing attention to human rights violations, meaningful progress requires action and accountability from all stakeholders.
He called for stakeholders to provide feedback on the measures being taken to address concerns identified in the Dashboard. Subsequent editions could therefore track not only violations but also the responses and actions taken by relevant institutions. This approach will strengthen the Dashboard as an accountability mechanism.
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