History of Human Rights Violations in Nigeria, 1970-1999
CHAPTER ONE
Aims and objectives
Every researchers work is aimed at certain achievements. Firstly in a country like Nigeria with multiplicity of ethnic groups the issue of fundamental human rights has to be heated so much in other to create the illiterate masses on the protection of their rights. in another development, the various successive government in Nigeria have not given a considerable concern for the protection of the fundamental principles of human right as enshrined in the charter establishing the U.N to the international organization of the first category has grown sour. This work is aimed at bringing back the relationship to its cardinal states.
CHAPTER TWO
Political aspect of human rights (1960-1991)
Sequel to her colonial heritage, Nigeria fundamental human rights provisions which are civil and political in nature through many reasons were addressed for the basic for accepting the Nigerian constitution of 1960, such reason like the recommendation of the willink commission on minorities and on the demands by early nationalist
But the fact still remains that since Nigeria became a sovereign state, all its constitution had elaborated provision protecting the fundamental human rights and by so doing the frame of this constitution had given recognition to the universal importance attached to human rights as well as challenging their violations.
The emergence of the military government however, skewed the politics of the nation into another different shape and drastically the human rights were affected. Further still, due to the dichotomy between the civil/political rights, social/cultural and economic rights the former has been implemented by the court and subsequently referred to the fundamental human rights, and this later placed on a non just able part called fundamental objectives and direction principle of the state policy and platform that exists for the enforcement of the affected components of the later has made the civil and political right constitution a double edged sword comprising, sometimes claims and other freedom.¹
Constitutional aspects of human rights
From the cradle of independence of 1960, there are four major constitutions; the 1960 constitution, the 1963 independent republican constitution, 1979 and 1989 constitution. According to Ajomo M.A et al, the fundamental rights provision in the 1960 independent maintained that the full text of the chapter similar is in every respect to what is contained in the bill of rights adopted as the sixth schedule of the Nigeria constitution. 1954 to 1958.²
Theses rights such as freedom of inhuman treatments, freedom of slavery and forced labour, the right to person liberty, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, peace, assembly and peace association, movement and residence, freedom from deprivation of poverty without compensation. prior to the constitutional recognition of the right to legal aid in cases relating to allegation of infringement of a citizen fundamental human rights, rights to legal aid in criminal cases was granted though limited in the scope, by the legal aid act of 1976.
CHAPTER THREE
Nature of economics, social, cultural rights
Undoubtedly, legal experts have tried to disparage between civil and political rights- economic, social and cultural rights. According to them, the civic political rights are inherited from man, which requires no further act on the part of political authority, whereas economic, social and cultural rights were obligations imposed upon political authorities of which the performance of such duties depends on the resources available and also the level of social cultural and economic nature of the states.
CHAPTER FOUR
The military era
Nigerian first military junta began following the 1966 Nigeria coup d’ etat which over threw prime minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa by major general Ajuiyi Ironsi who was the military general. he became the head of state, but was soon murdered in a coup in July in the same year. he was succeeded by general Yakubu Gowon who established a supreme military council, Gowon held power till July 1975, when he was overthrown in a bloodless coup.
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary and conclusion.
From the forgoing, it has been established that the four main constitutions (the independence constitution of 1960, the republic constitution of 1963, the second republican constitution of 1979 and 1989), of the period under review (1970-1999) has elaborate provisions protecting the fundamental human rights and people through various ways sought for the protection of the rights as well as challenging their violations.
The emergence of the military in the political history of Nigeria has brought a lot of changes, which affected the human rights as a far-reaching implications, as human right provisions dealing with its protection were suspended by the military. Further more the decree with ouster clauses and retrospective laws were promulgated and in fact the rule of law was eroded. Attempts were made to treat the human rights as mere privileges but it never worked.
Recommendation
In my opinion, I suggest meaningful recommendations.
- judges should be independent and resist every entrenchment by any ruling political party or government in power and equally be guided by the rule of law, both in protecting and enforcing the human rights without fear or favors no matter whose ox is gored.
- lawyers should strive to preserve the independent of their profession, asserts the rights of the individuals under the rule of law and also insist that every accused be accorded a fair trial.
- in interpreting the fundamental human rights as provided in the constitution, the court should not be aloof and separated from the demands of social justice by the people.
- every impediment to human rights should be discovered and should be given adequate treatment.
Bibliography
- Ajomo M.A, Owasanoye Bolaji, (1999), Individual Rights under 1989 Constitution, Owerri; Achugo Publishers.
- Nwabueze B.O, (1992), military Rule and Constitutionalism Port Harcourt; Spectrum Publisher.
- Wilson, (1969), Diplomatic Privileges and Immunity, London; university of Arizona Press.
- Julia Hauserman, (1993), the Nature of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Human Rights, Lagos; Civil Liberty Organization.
- Chukuezi Charles M.N, (1999) Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice, Owerri; Ochumba Publication Camp.
- C.E Emezi and Ndoh, (1999), The Military and Politics in Nigeria .Owerri; Achugo Publication.
