The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of sexual violence against women and girls during the Alue-Do cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who made the call yesterday, described the incident as a gross violation of the privacy, dignity, safety, and fundamental human rights of the affected persons.

In a statement by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, the commission said the action is “unacceptable and the height of barbarism in the modern world”.

It stressed that no cultural practice should be allowed to undermine the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially freedom of movement, non-discrimination, fair hearing, or dignity of the human person, among others.

Ojukwu emphasised that any cultural practices that promote or tolerate sexual harassment are contrary to natural justice, equity, and good conscience, and therefore unacceptable in a modern democratic society.

According to him, such practices must either be urgently reformed to align with constitutional provisions and human rights standards or be completely abolished.

The Executive Secretary noted that cultural festivals and traditional practices must be conducted in strict compliance with existing laws, including the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, both of which prohibit acts that degrade, abuse, or harm individuals, especially women and girls.

He further stated that Nigeria, as a responsible member of the international community, is bound by regional and international human rights instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Maputo Protocol, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), all of which, among other things, obligate the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence and discrimination.

The human rights advocate reiterated the need to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and enablers of these acts, including festival organisers, traditional authorities, and any accomplices. He stressed that accountability must be enforced to serve as a deterrent and to reaffirm the rule of law.

The NHRC commended the Nigeria Police Force for the prompt arrest of some suspects in connection with the incident. However, the Commission urged that investigations must be thorough, independent, and transparent, with diligent prosecution to ensure justice for the victims.

The Executive Secretary noted that the incident represents a sore point in Nigeria’s collective conscience and a painful setback in the ongoing efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence across the country.

He further described the development as a shocking reminder of tragic cases such as Ochanya Ogbanje, the young girl in Benue State who suffered prolonged sexual abuse by some relatives, leading to her death, as well as many other similar incidents where perpetrators, in most cases, evade accountability, underscoring the urgent need for sustained justice and systemic reforms.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all persons, including women and girls, and called on relevant authorities, community leaders, and stakeholders to take proactive steps to prevent a recurrence of such violations. The Commission will continue to monitor the police prosecution of the violators to ensure that justice is served. (The Sun)

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