By Prudence Ijah, Abuja
Human rights experts have reiterated the urgent need for implementation of the Anti-Torture Act and the Violence aginsts persons Act (VAP Act) in other to address the violation of human rights in the country.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, at a training with the theme building capacity of CSOs on the Anti-Torture Act and the draft rules that guide its implementation, the executive director, Access to Justice Joseph Oddey said awareness creation is imperative as most law enforcement agencies are not well informed about the Acts.
According to Oddey, to make the Anti-Torture ACT relevant to Nigerians, there is the need to push for accountability as this will help reduce the rate at which torture is used on citizens.
Earlier, the Chairman National Committee Against Torture Sani Ameh said five hundred million naira needs to be mobilized for the implementation of the law.
Amen said “The awareness on the Anti-Torture Act is quite low in Nigeria. It is pertinent for people to be acquainted with this Act to ensure no one violates them
Also, implementation of the Act is key in reducing cases of torture by law enforcement agencies”
Types of violence includes sexual which involves Rape, incest, physical Violence includes FGM, deprivation of liberty, spousal battery, economical violence includes forced financial deprivation, psychological and general violence cuts across coercion, offensive conduct, indecent exposure, making false statements and political violence.
Participants at the training includes lawyers, members of Nigerian Union of Journalsits, civil Society organizations, members of human rights commission amongst others.
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