BEVERLY HILLS, March 10, (THEWILL) – A university lecturer, Professor Dakas C.J Dakas, SAN, has lauded the human rights records of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, rating the administration higher than its predecessors.
Dakas, who is the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Jos, gave the commendation, Tuesday, while delivering the annual lecture of the Abuja chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).
Speaking on the theme “The Role of the Media in Human Rights Protection,” as he reviewed the human rights regime under the Jonathan administration, Dakas said the administration had done so well.
According to Daka, “We need to step back and compare the present regime with past administration, especially with past civilian regime.
“The Olusegun Obasanjo regime left a yawning gap in terms of human rights. Recall the administration’s refusal to release funds meant for local government councils in Lagos to the Lagos state government.”
He noted that the Obasanjo’s administration took impeachment of governors to a level of absurdity in the name of fighting corruption.
He however said the Obasanjo’s regime was not bad, but noted that “there are significant improvements under this regime.”
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also noted that the amendment and signing into law of the National Human Rights Commission NHRC Amendment Act by Jonathan was a plus to the administration’s drive towards protecting human rights.
He recalled that even though, the NHRC was established by the late General Sani Abacha, it was the Jonathan that gave the commission the powers it needed to protect human rights in a democratic setting.
He added that the commission had lived up to its expectation, especially in its decision on the Apo killings where it invited security operatives to defend themselves against allegation of extra-judicial killings.
He further commended the commission for the on going public hearing on unlawful demolition and forceful eviction across the country.
While also commending the administration of Jonathan for passing the Freedom of Information Bill into law, he expressed regrets that journalists were not using the law as much as they should.
“I think these are milestones that deserve to be celebrated. To be the best of my knowledge, there are no political prisoners under this regime. Freedom of expression is not being curtailed .
“The secrecy surrounding governance will be unmasked in the interest of the country if the opportunities provided by the FOI Act is adequately explored by journalists”, he said.
Dakas also hailed the Jonathan Administration for the ratification of the Kampala convention, urging the Federal Government to go beyond ratification of the convention and domesticate it to create an environment for people to enjoy their socio- political rights.
Dakas however noted that the Jonathan administration had to do more for the citizens to enjoy their rights. He cited the isolated case of some overzealous security operatives who went about confiscating newspapers. He called on the president to call such security operatives to order.
The chairman of the association, Mr .Tobi Soniyi , had earlier noted that journalists had the responsibility to expose rights violations for victims to get redress.
“Journalists should remain objectives while reporting human rights violation. Journalists should give facts but not in a manner or with the purpose of creating sensation and to arouse sentiment of the people. Language should be decent and civilized to avoid adding insult to injury.
“As citizens we tend to down play the good things the government has done. In my view, the administration of Jonathan has done well in terms of upholding human rights. I concede though that challenges remain”, he said.
He also noted that despite the fact that the freedom of information law would constitute avoidable intrusion on his government, President Jonathan nevertheless signed the FOI Act bill into law showing a high level of commitment to transparency.
