News Update
More Women die from pregnancy-related casesLaw Reform Commission wants stiffer penalty for rapist
IPPF advocates 4-week paternity leave for husbands
Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria: Human traffickers’ haven
Police arrests human traffickers in Ebonyi
Human rights commission flays arrest of 'indecently-dressed' ladies
Source: IPPF advocates 4-week paternity leave for husbands
Gay Nigerians face Sharia death
Judge Counsels Women on Marriage
Communique
Communiqué on the Workshop on “Towards the Elimination of Human Trafficking” organized by the Network for Justice and Democracy at the Young Women Christian Association Building No.29 Airport Road, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria on Thursday 28th September 2006.
The Workshop considers human trafficking as an endemic social problem, pervasive and heinous crime and one of the most pressing human rights problems in Nigeria and a spreading and worsening global phenomenon.
The workshop acknowledged the salient fact that there is a growing awareness in the international community about the gravity of the problem and the pressing need for sustained and concerted actions at the national, regional and international levels through establishment of bilateral, regional and multilateral mechanisms to prevent, monitor and combat trafficking.
Participants unanimously agreed that poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, unemployment, porous borders, widespread corruption, gender discrimination and economic conditions are major factors fuelling human trafficking.
The workshop expressed thanks to the United States Department of State- Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the United States Consulate, Lagos for sponsoring the Workshop.
The Workshop commended the Federal Government of Nigeria on the enactment of the Trafficking In Persons (Administration and Enforcement Act) 2004, which has led to the convictions of a sizeable number of offenders. Participants reiterated the need for the judiciary to hear and determine human trafficking cases more expeditiously as justice delayed is justice denied.
The Workshop also commended the Edo State Government on the Criminal Code Amendment Law 2004 which led to its introduction of sections 222 A and 223 and urged it to transform the Edo State Committee Against Human Trafficking into a full fledged Agency and commit sufficient financial, manpower and sufficient infrastructural resources`to enable it perform efficiently.
The Workshop came up with the following suggestions:
- Adequate prosecution of traffickers without compromising the rights of the victims to privacy, dignity and safety, by providing necessary assistance to trafficked persons during the pendency of criminal, civil or other legal actions against traffickers.
- Protection of human rights of victims/survivors should be the basic and paramount consideration rather than crime prevention.
- Victims of human trafficking should not be criminalized but the traffickers and their accomplices engaged in the illicit trade and exploitation be severely punished to serve as a deterrent.
- Legislation and law enforcement alone cannot provide sufficient prevention. The root causes that drive women and children into human trafficking such as poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, unemployment, porous borders and economic conditions must be addressed through measures such as raising public awareness regarding human rights and the risks of trafficking, providing women empowerment schemes, providing necessary protection, micro credit assistance and vocational training for better income generation possibilities etc..
- In addition to legislation, the Workshop noted that concerted efforts against human trafficking by States, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs at the regional and international levels are critical in order to effectively address the hydra headed problem of trafficking in persons and to provide adequate redress for the victims.
- Collaborative efforts at both the local and national levels should include Religious and community leaders, teachers, other stakeholders e.g. police, immigration, customs, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, Law enforcement agencies, Judiciary, Media and Civil society organizations etc.
- The workshop urged government to improve the economy, empower girls and women with educational, economic and employment opportunities to resist the temptation of human trafficking.
- Parents were strongly advised to send their daughters to school and resist the temptations of traffickers.
- Participants called on the government to implement international agreements on human trafficking to prevent trafficking in persons and develop joint plans of action with other countries concerned.States are called upon to take serious actions in cooperation with NGOs in the development of national plans of action in accordance with the 1996 Programme of Action for the Prevention in the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.
- Intensive Advocacy and Awareness programmes on human trafficking should be intensified to expose the dangers of human trafficking and improve knowledge of the anti human trafficking laws. The workshop advised that public information campaigns against human trafficking should be extended to the rural areas where women and girls have less access to information and who are usually poorer and easier to influence with rituals.
- Girls must gain access for the resources necessary to development such as education, credit, employment, justice and enjoy rights to bodily integrity, freedom from discrimination, torture, degrading and cruel treatment.
- Effective data collection and information systems should be developed to track progress and inform policies and laws on human trafficking and programming at all levels.
- The workshop acknowledged the fact that the problems of trafficking in persons could be effectively addressed through a multi-faceted, coordinated and integrated national and international plan of action.
- Finally Workshop strongly advised the general economy and well being of the citizenry should be vastly improved particularly in the rural areas where a large number of Nigerians live.
News Update
‘MORE WOMEN DIE FROM PREGNANCY-RELATED CASES’
More than half a million women die each year of pregnancy-related cases, 99 per cent of them in developing countries.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Samu’ila Dank Makama made the revelation in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, as part of activities marking this year’s World Population Day celebration.
The NPC chief who advocated an improved access to reproductive health information and facilities urged men to give women the right to make choice on matters of sexuality and reproduction.
Makama who was represented at the occasion by the NPC Federal Commissioner in charge of Ekiti and Ondo states, Dr. Bode Iwaloye also called on fathers to discourage early marriage and negative cultural practices like female genital mutilation because of their implication for the health of the girl child.
He noted that the need to involve men as partners on issues of reproductive and sexual health is comprehensively addressed in the new National Policy on Population for sustainable Development which emphasized men’s influence in sexual matters, family planning and access to productive resources.
"It said that certain male sexual behaviours like multiple sexual partners, relations with commercial sex workers, non-use of condoms, among other can also contribute to the transmission of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases", the population boss noted.
Makama also stated that the adequate knowledge of the population dynamics are very vital not only for the formulation of policies but also monitoring the impact of the programme being implemented, promising that his agency would continue to provide accurate and reliable data for the implementation of population activities in Nigeria.
Describing population as Nigeria’s most important asset, Makama stressed that the level of the nation’s development would continue to be a function of how well the population is managed saying making motherhood safe is a task that must be collectively done.
Source: The Nation Friday, July 20, 2007
Law Reform Commission wants stiffer penalty for rapist
Abuja – The Nigerian Law Reform Commission is pushing for stiffer penalty for anyone convicted of rape, saying the incidence of rape and other sexual related offences in the country is traceable to the leniency of judges and present penalty attached to the offence.
The commission spoke at a time the incumbent Federation Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) promised to look into the possibility of enacting a law that will serve as deterrents to culprits of the offence.
Aodoakaa gave the promise during his maiden chat with newsmen, last week, in his office, in Abuja.
Already, the Nigerian Law Reform Commission is organized a public debate on the issue, this week, in Abuja with a view to creating an enabling environment for the review of the existing status on rape. The commission, in a discussion paper, for the review and reform of rape laws in Nigeria stated that under the present legal regime, judges have been too lenient when sentencing rape convicts.
A rapist presently bags a maximum of seven years imprisonment after conviction by law courts but judges hardly sentence convicts to imprisonment terms exceeding one year. But the commission is suggesting that a minimum of 15 year jail term be inflicted on anyone convicted of rape to serve as deterrence.
The commission also noted that most rape cases do not get reported to the police because affected women would not want people to know that having been raped, their chances of getting married in the future might be jeopardized hence the need to keep the issue as quiet as possible with minimal number of people being aware of the offence. It stated that the fact that most rapes were not reported encouraged rapist to continue their unwholesome practice.
Apart from sending rape convicts to jail, the commission has also suggested that the convicts be made to pay the victims for injury suffered.
It further noted that the definition of rape under Nigerian laws was very narrow in scope.
Source: VANGUARD, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007
IPPF advocates 4-week paternity leave for husbands
GOMBE – The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Africa Region, has called for a four week leave for husbands whose wives put to bed.
The IPPF Chairman, Mrs. Hannatu Ibrahim, who made the call for "paternity leave" said it would enable husbands to assist their wives in nurturing new –born babies. Ibrahim, yesterday in Gombe said that, after birth, a woman needs her husband’s support because at that time she is weak”. She said: "The husband will also want to be his wife because of the psychological trauma she underwent during childbirth."
Ibrahim, also the Executive Director, Guidance and Counseling Development Association in Nigeria, argued that “nursing fathers” could hardly concentrate on their jobs in the first few days of the birth of their babies.
She said: "The days are gone when husbands took their wives home and entrust them in the care of mothers-in-law and hiring of house help no longer serve useful purpose."
"men who care for their families will prefer to be at home with their wives, especially when such wives give birth," she insisted.
She promised to push her proposal for appropriate legislation, but that a sensitization campaign would have to be carried out first. She urged NGOs, religious and community leaders, to assist in pushing the idea to the government for consideration.
Source: VANGUARD, WESNESDAY JULY 31, 2007
Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria: Human traffickers’ haven
AKWA Ibom State has been described as a source centre, transit rote and a destination area for human trafficking.
The Comptroller of Nigerian Immigration Service in the State, Mr. William Park, disclosed this on Tuesday during a two –day workshop organized by UNICEF in Eket.
Park explained that the victims of human trafficking were always transported from Oron and various towns and fishing ports of the state to Gabon, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries. He expressed sadness that some of the victims always embrace menial jobs, which expose them to all forms of abuse and exploitation.
Park stated, "As you are aware, Akwa Ibom is being used as a source centre, a transit route and a destination area for trafficking in persons".
He also disclosed that men of the Immigration Service had, since March up till date, rescued 29 victims of human trafficking and had handed them over to the National agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters for further action.
Source : Punch Newspapers August 1st, 2007
Police arrest human traffickers in Ebonyi
Abakaliki A major crack down against syndicates of human trafficking and slavery by the Police in Ebonyi State yesterday led to the interception of two bus loads of illegal emigrants being conveyed to Cameroun and other Central Africa countries. A total of 121 persons including 12 women were recovered from the buses.
The illegal child traders were apprehended at Ohaukwu by eagle-eyed operatives of the Ebonyi State Police command following the inability of the chaperon who identified herself as Esther Eze from Ubulu in Ohaozara Local Government area to give plausible reasons why such a number of people most of who are males were cramped in the luxury bus with the inscription "Ife si nachi".
The new Police commissioner (CP) in the State, Mrs Julie N. Iroha, said while parading the illegal emigrants said it was a major breakthrough in her command’s determination to combat crime explaining that the 121 suspects would be charged for the offence of human trafficking.
The CP narrated how on Thursday July 12, 2007, at about 0600 hours following a tip off, a team of detectives from the state command intercepted two luxuries buses belonging to Ifesinachi Transport company conveying 122 persons from Lagos to Cameroun.
VANGUARD, FRIDAY JULY 13, 2007
Human rights commission flays arrest of 'indecently-dressed' ladies
Lagos - The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission has condemned the recent arrest of "indecently dress" women by the police in Lagos.
The commission in a statement said those paraded had been treated with indignity saying that they had
not been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction covered by section 6 of the 1999 constitution.
Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko who signed the statement said: “It has come to my notice as a Federal Commissioner of the Nigeria National Human Rights Commission and a Governing Council member that more than one hundred Nigeria Girls have been arrested in Lagos by the Nigeria Police on the allegation that they were indecently dressed.
"I have received several email complaints from some of the relations of those girls recently arrested and I wish to state categorically that the Police ought to investigate these allegation of mass arrest of these girls on these nebulous allegations that they were indecently dressed and immediately provide remedial action to restore the human rights of these Nigerians who are protected by the Nigeria Constitution to move freely within the bounds of the Nigerian law in any part of the federation of Nigeria".
Source: VANGUARD, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007
Source: IPPF advocates 4-week paternity leave for husbands
GOMBE – The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Africa Region, has called for a four week leave for husbands whose wives put to bed.
The IPPF Chairman, Mrs. Hannatu Ibrahim, who made the call for "paternity leave" said it would enable husbands to assist their wives in nurturing new –born babies. Ibrahim, yesterday in Gombe said that, after birth, a woman needs her husband’s support because at that time she is weak”. She said: "The husband will also want to be his wife because of the psychological trauma she underwent during childbirth".
Ibrahim, also the Executive Director, Guidance and Counseling Development Association in Nigeria, argued that "nursing fathers" could hardly concentrate on their jobs in the first few days of the birth of their babies.
She said: "The days are gone when husbands took their wives home and entrust them in the care of mothers-in-law and hiring of house help no longer serve useful purpose".
"Men who care for their families will prefer to be at home with their wives, especially when such wives give birth," she insisted.
She promised to push her proposal for appropriate legislation, but that a sensitization campaign would have to be carried out first. She urged NGOs, religious and community leaders, to assist in pushing the idea to the government for consideration.Source: VANGUARD, WESNESDAY JULY 31, 2007
Gay Nigerians face Sharia death
Eighteen men have been remanded in prison following their arrest for alleged sodomy in Northern Nigeria. The men were arrested in a hotel in north-eastern Bauchi State, which is governed by the Islamic Sharia law.
The Sharia punishment for sodomy is death by stoning. The men, reported wearing women’s clothes, are said to have gone to Bauchi town from neighbouring states to celebrate a "gay wedding".
Sharia judge Malam Tanimu ordered that the 18 be remanded in prison after they were arraigned before him on Wednesday. Prosecuting police officer Tadius Boboi said the men’s actions had contravened Sharia law, adopted in Bauchi and a dozen other states in Muslim northern Nigeria in 2000.
More than a dozen Nigeria Muslims have been sentenced to death by stoning and for sexual offence ranging from adultery and homosexuality.
But none of these death sentences have actually be carried out as they were either thrown out on appeal or commuted to prison terms as a result of pressure from human rights groups.
Many others have been sentenced to flogging by horsewhip for drinking. But there have been two amputations in northern-western Zamfara State which pioneered the introduction of the Islamic legal system in the country.
Nigeria, like many Africa countries, is a conservative society where homosexuality is considered a taboo. The Nigerian parliament has been trying to pass a controversial law introduced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo banning gay rights organizations.
But homosexuality and same sex marriage are illegal in Nigeria and are considered very serious offence. In April, a woman reported fled Nigeria after being accused of organizing a polygamous lesbian wedding.
Two years ago, a Sharia court sentenced a man to six months in prison and fined him $38 for living as a woman for seven years in Kano.
Source: BBC News 10 August 2007
JUDGE COUNSELS WOMEN ON MARRIAGE
A Judge of the Ikeja Division of the Lagos High Court, Justice Oyindamola Oluwayemi, has recommended a number of measures for women especially widows to enable them cope with the problems associated with loss of spouses.
She recommended statutory marriage in preference to other forms of marriages, persuasion of their spouses to write a will, self-empowerment, through work, insistence on their rights in the event of spouse’s death and seeking knowledge and education as part of ways to avoid misery in their marital lives.
Oluwayemi gave this advice on Wednesday while speaking as a guest speaker at the 2007 Valentine Love Feast, organised for widows and orphans, by a Lagos based Non-Governmental Organisation, Head High International.
At a forum which attracted many widows, clerics and representatives of many NGOs on women and children affairs, Justice Oluwayemi said many of the problems that widows face could be prevented if the women plan ahead.
She identified different forms of marriage in Nigeria and recommended statutory marriage as the one that best protected the interest of women because of some benefits that it conferred on the parties to such marriage.
Under the statutory marriage, a woman is entitled to one-third of her husband’s property if he dies intestate (without a will). The remaining two-thirds would go to the children, and these include all the children of the deceased.
There is a similar benefit for marriages contracted under the Islamic law, as a wife that had children under this law gets one-eighth of her husband’s property while the one has no children gets one quarter. The remaining goes to the children and relatives.
The Judge, however, berated marriage under the customary law as the worst form of marriage as regards women’s rights. She stressed that a woman’s fate would not only be uncertain but that she could be subjected to many rules and superstitions that are repugnant to natural justice equity and good conscience.
Source: Punch Newspapers, Thursday February 15, 2007.