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Protectors or Pretenders? - Government Human Rights Commissions in Africa, HRW Report 2001

Nigeria








Overview

Summary

International Standards: The Paris Principles

Important Factors

Examining the Record in Africa

Innovative and Positive Contributions by Commissions

Regional Iniatives

The Role Of The International Community

Conclusion

Recommendations

Abbreviations

Acknowledgements




Origin and Mandate

    The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission was created by a military decree promulgated by the military government of General Sani Abacha in late 1995. Its creation coincided with the announcement of the latest in a series of programs for transition from military to civilian rule (replacing the transition aborted by the annulment of June 1993 presidential elections), and was clearly designed as an attempt to head off international criticism of continued military rule in general and the repressive policies of the Abacha government, in particular.

    Following the death of General Abacha in June 1998, his successor General Abdulsalami Abubakar scrapped the Abacha transition program and instituted a new one under conditions of greater openness. As part of this program a new constitution was drafted by a panel appointed by General Abubakar, with very limited public consultation. Although the commission had lobbied for its status to be entrenched in the constitution, this did not take place. The new constitution took effect as a civilian government came into office on May 29, 1999, following elections that took place in late 1998 and early 1999. According to the transitional provisions of the constitution, the military decree establishing the human rights commission is deemed, like similar decrees, to be an act of the new National Assembly.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2001

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