The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ) has appreciated the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, for its support in the past nine years on efforts to protect displaced persons in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC,  Dr. Tony Ojukwu expressed the appreciation while speaking at the presentation of quarterly report on the Protection of Forcibly Displaced Persons  in the North Eastern States through human rights monitoring.

The presentation was done in Abuja on Monday by the NHRC, in conjunction with the UNHCR.

Ojukwu said that the the purpose of the project was to enable the government and other humanitarian actors to intervene and respond to the needs and reduce the vulnerability of Forcibly Displaced Persons (IDPs,/Returnees).

He said “ It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the occasion of the presentation of the Quarterly Report of the Project: Protection of Forcibly Displaced Persons through Human Rights Monitoring in the North Eastern States in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The project focuses on monitoring and reporting the situation of the Forcibly Displaced Persons in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. This quarterly presentation is one of the key components of the project.

“ The objective of the project is to monitor the human rights and Protection situation in the project states with the aim of gaining a comprehensive insight into the issues concerning the Forcibly Displaced Persons (IDPs,/Returnees etc), to enable the government and other humanitarian actors intervene and respond to their needs, and thus reduce their vulnerability.

“ The Commission and the UNHCR have been in this partnership for the past 9 years. It has become increasingly apparent that the Commission and its partner create a forum to enlighten other stakeholders on its activities in the project states.

“ This presentation will provide stakeholders with an overview and analysis of human rights issues relating to the Forcibly Displaced Persons as observed and documented by the Human Right Monitors in the Project states.

“ This presentation will also provide stakeholders with the opportunity to gain insights into the evolving human right issues of the Forcibly Displaced Persons and explore collaborative avenues for addressing emerging challenges that affect the promotion and protection of the right of the Forcibly Displaced Persons.

The NHRC boss therefore solicited more supports and collaboration between it and other agencies in furtherance of our common goal of promoting and protecting human rights and giving humanitarian assistance to the Forcibly Displaced Persons in the project states and Nigeria in general.

While making the presentation, the Project Coordinator, Benedict Agu, noted that the report was aimed at identifying and strengthening community-based protection mechanisms and effectively addressing human rights and humanitarian concerns of the IDPs/Refugees host communities.

The project which was conducted in three states and some local government areas covered in the North East includes ; Borno State (Bama, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Gwoza, Pulka, Jere, Maiduguri, Konduga, Mobbar, Monguno).

Other are ; Adamawa State (Mubi North, Mubi South, Yola North, Yola South, Madagali and Michika) and Yobe State (Damaturu and Gujba)

Some of the activities undertaken during
the project includes regular visits to detention centers such as Prisons, Police and Military detention facilities with the aim of assessing their compliance with human rights best practices.

He said the monitoring teams were able to 2055 individuals as against 5000 targets for the year while the total of 27,667 out of 60,000 individuals were reached through awareness as part of the achievement recorded in this quarter.

Other achievements recorded includes : trained of 80 security personnel on mainstreaming humanitarian and human rights responses in counter insurgency operations.

He said the commission also undertook
virtual inception training for monitors – on effective reporting and documentation on human rights protection.

The report however suggested for the need for improved resources – vehicles, laptops, solar panel and phones, increased stipend for Task Team/ HRMs for effective/efficient service delivery.