The African Heritage Institution (Afri-Heritage), a political and socio-economic research and analytical institute, has urged the media, civil society organisations and non-government organisations to voice out against human rights abuses.

The Executive Director of the institution, Prof. Ufo Okeke-Uzodike, said this while briefing newsmen recently in Enugu.

Okeke-Uzodike noted that no country can achieve much development without having a sound human rights record, adding that good human rights record follows positive economic and political developments.

“Development and peace only strive in a place or country with high positive human rights record; and not where there is violence, rancour and trampling of people’s human rights,” he said.

According to him, human rights abuse and impunity had become a serious issue in the country presently.

Okeke-Uzodike noted that the media, CSOs and NGOs have to hold government or the state accountable for not implementing human rights in the country, adding that they must continually join and push for the right things to be done at all levels by authorities.

“When your fundamental human rights are negated in any form, the government should protect you and right the wrong done on you to create lasting peace and development in every circle or society,” he said.