Ekiti Govt Reaffirms Its Commitment To Protect Rights Of All — AG , Olawale Fapohunda

In commemorating the International Human Rights Day, Ekiti State has promised to protect the rights of all according to the values of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

In a statement sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state, Olawale Fapohunda says

The Government of Ekiti State has identified sustainable reforms in the justice sector as crucial to the protection of civil and political rights.

The overall objective of our justice sector reform intervention is to provide fair and equal access to justice for all those living in Ekiti State, regardless of their ethnic group, gender, marital status, age, economic status, disability, religion, belief, culture, language or any other attribute.

Read the full statement below:

Today, Ekiti State joins the rest of the World in commemorating International Human Rights Day.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was a firm commitment by State parties to protect the rights of everyone irrespective of economic status, gender, ethnic group, belief or any other difference.

The Government of Ekiti State fully subscribes to the promise of human rights for all. We have sought to achieve this ideal according to the values that are in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Fayemi Administration’s good governance agenda. Democracy and equality are at the heart of these values.

Effective promotion and protection of human rights requires an integrated approach. Our commitment to human rights is based on the premise that all human rights are: universal, indivisible, inter-dependent and Inter-related. However to achieve effective monitoring of our human rights obligations, these rights have been categorized under four main headings:

Civil and Political Rights: Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals’ freedom from infringement and which ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.

The Government of Ekiti State has identified sustainable reforms in the justice sector as crucial to the protection of civil and political rights. The overall objective of our justice sector reform intervention is to provide fair and equal access to justice for all those living in Ekiti State, regardless of their ethnic group, gender, marital status, age, economic status, disability, religion, belief, culture, language or any other attribute.

Economic, Social & Cultural Rights: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) are human rights concerning the basic social and economic conditions needed to live a life of dignity and freedom, relating to work, social security, health, education, food, water and culture. Our commitment to ESCR requires that all our efforts are directed at reducing poverty, inequality, creating jobs and growing our economy.

The Government of Ekiti State is taking steps to the maximum of its available resources to progressively realise ESCR, including through legislative, administrative, budgetary and other processes.

Right to a Protected Environment: This right refers to rights to a healthy, clean, safe, favorable, wholesome or ecologically balanced environment.

The Government of Ekiti State is concerned about the effect of Climate Change. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that has increased catastrophic flooding in parts of the State. The fight against climate change and its derivative effects is a strategic priority of the state government. Current efforts include public education and other actions taken at the individual, local government and state government levels to reduce risks from changed climate conditions and to prepare for impacts from additional changes projected for the future

Rights of Women: The Rights of Women include the right to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn a fair and equal wage.
The Government of Ekiti State has prioritized the right of women in the state to be free from violence. Specific actions include adopting a Zero tolerance policy for all forms of violence against women, establishing a sex offenders register and the naming and shaming of sex offenders.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities: The Government of Ekiti State recognizes the barriers that people with a disability may face in realising their rights. All human rights apply to everyone, including people with disability.

The State government is currently reviewing its legal and policy framework for the protection of rights of persons with disabilities.

This comprehensive review includes the enactment of a Persons Living with Disabilities Law and establishing the budgetary implications for achieving physical access to all public buildings by persons with disabilities.

On this day, the Government of Ekiti State reaffirms its commitment to intensify efforts to give effect to the rights promised by our Constitution and reinforce the strong human rights culture of the Fayemi administration.

Olawale Fapohunda
Honourable Attorney- General & Commissioner for Justice Ekiti State