Estimated reading time: 10 minute(s)
Kehinde Husseinah
The Committee for Defense of Human Rights in Ogun State has revealed that the rate at which human rights are violated has increased rapidly.
Speaking in an interview with PLATFORM TIMES on Wednesday,the group Chairman, Comrade Yinka Folarin stated that more than 100 human rights violation cases are being tackled on a daily basis.
PLATFORM TIMES learnt that the committee has not less than 70 units of office across all local government in Ogun State.
Comrade Folarin said complaints are filed, investigated and combated at each unit level.
“Majority of the cases are domestic violence, land grabbing,security harassment, child abuse among others.
“The predominant one which in most time is caused by economic reasons is the inability of the spouse to take responsibility at home often result in domestic violence, transfer of aggression,child abuse, assault and harassment.
“But above all, the right to life of the people is the major issue being threatened, right to freedom of movement is limited by insecurity, citizens are living under fear, we are being victims of cultism and other atrocities.
“When one’s right is being threatened, one might end up not believing in the existence of having rights, .”
Human rights violation rate is too high in the state.The daily incidents occurring has inserted fear in the citizens, there is the phobia of being attacked by the cultists.
The Chairman lamented on how majority are not keen enough to protect human right and that the government is not doing enough.
“Outrightly on a daily basis,we attend to 100 to 150 cases in Ogun because here alone,we have not less than 70 units of our organization in every local government.
“We do what is expected of us and we hope that critical stakeholders including the religious bodies and the government will spare time to campaign against violation and make people know that human right should be a culture,and it should be respected for peace sake,” he added.
“Unfortunately, criminal justice system,though advancing, is not strong enough to serve the perpetrators necessary punishment.
“ The process of getting them prosecuted can be so cumbersome. Especially in rape cases. Beyond that, the family of victim of violation is not helping the matter.
“ Imagine a situation where we show our interest that the offender must be punished but the family comes out to say they are not interested in making commotions regarding the case,but want it to be resolved amicably.
“ All these are not improving the criminal justice system. We have a lot of issues like this.
“The govt also need to double up efforts for the mechanism to checkmate the necessity and aid support to collaborate with non governmental organizations. If all these are done, we all will have a place to go home to.
“The CDHR is making efforts to promote our coexistence with campaigns at the grass root level to enlighten the people that human rights needs to be respected.
“If people don’t know their rights,how can we fight for them ? people need to know their rights.
He concluded by encouraging critical stakeholders, especially religious bodies to make it an agenda at their meetings and services to encourage people to imbibe the culture of human right.
He added “when the rights of people are respected, all these cases would resolve to the barest minimum if not completely eradicated.
“ We will step up with our campaign and advocacy and our people should reciprocate by cooperating with one another and by believing that when rights are respected, it is for the betterment of us all.
“ CDHR will continue to sanitize the people via radio, social media all other available platforms.” he said.
