Nigeria's Engagement with The Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review: Potential for Acculturation or Risk of Regression?

Abstract

First paragraph: After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960, considerable efforts were made to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria. The post-independence constitutions of Nigeria guaranteed human rights and instituted mechanisms for their enforcement. The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission was established in 1995. However, from 1966 to 1999, eight military coups destabilised Nigeria and negatively impacted on human rights protection in the country. There has since been a return to civilian rule with some relative gains in the promotion and protection of human rights. Nevertheless, extrajudicial killings, impunity by security forces and prolonged pre-trial detention have remained a human rights challenge. These have become more challenging by the terrorism activities of Boko Haram, and the anti-terrorism efforts of the government in striking a balance with respect for human rights. Many of these human rights issues have featured prominently in the engagement of Nigeria with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the Human Rights Council.