By Patrick Obia
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Cross River State office has joined the rest of the world to commemorate 2022 International Human Rights Day, calling for an end to witchcraft branding and all forms of abuse.
This year’s exercise with the theme “dignity, freedom and justice for all,” kicked off with a road walk from the Calabar Municipal council on Saturday, 10 December 2022 where the Commission in collaboration with other partners said it is pertinent to mark the day and seize the opportunity to sue for all segments of the society particularly, individuals and institutions to unite in restoring the dignity of people who suffer neglect, deprivations, subjection, discrimination as well as violence.
In a pep talk, the State Coordinator of the Commission, Cross River State office, Mr. Remi Ajuga harped against “the dehumanizing conditions of vulnerable people, pensioners, workers, destitute, alleged witches, key populations, girls in money marriage arrangements, and other undignifying treatments meted out to some people based on social class, tradition, religion, or superstition.”
Remi noted that the sensitization exercise embarked on to mark the day is key because “when the people know their rights, they will be able to fight and defend them, hence, cases of human rights abuses will be curtailed,” enjoining all and sundry to join the fight against human rights abuse in the State and Nigeria in general.
World Human Rights Day is a day set aside by the United Nations, to celebrate the achievements of those who have fought for and protected human rights as well as inspire everyone to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all forms, whenever and wherever it happens.
