Editor's Note
Human Rights Agenda Network brings you weekly updates on human rights issues in Nigeria.

ISSUES

The UN Secretary-General's Message On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Every woman and every girl has the right to a life free of violence. Yet this rupture of human rights occurs in a variety of ways in every community, particularly affecting those who are most marginalized and vulnerable. Read more

UN Forum Explores Ongoing Discrimination Faced By People of African Descent
Speaking at the opening of the two-day meeting, held on 23 and 24 November, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said that people of African descent continue to endure pervasive discrimination in law as well as in practice, extending from neighbourhoods and schools to workplaces, political representation and justice. Read more

UNDP, NHRC Release Report On Humanitarian Crisis in N'East
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have released report on its findings on humanitarian conditions in six states of the Northeast, accusing both the federal government and its counterpart in the Northeast ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents of lacking the political will to address the humanitarian challenge in that region. Read more

US urges action on rights abuse for closer Nigerian ties
The United States on Monday called for Nigeria to probe human rights abuses in the fight against Boko Haram, as it pledged more funds to help recovery from years of conflict. Read more

108m Nigerians lack proper toilet facilities –UN
Despite huge technological, scientific and industrial advances, an estimated 108 million Nigerians still lack access to toilets, the United Nations stated on this year’s World Toilet Day, November 19, with the theme “Wastewater”. Read more

CDHR Decries Absence of Government-Signed Treaties Record
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, (CDHR), yesterday expressed deep concerns over the embarrassing report that Nigeria does not have available, inclusive and updated record of treaties and conventions to which she is a signatory. Read more

Human Rights Group Condemns Nigerian Government For Silence On 26 Nigerians Who Drowned In Mediterranean
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned in unmistakable terms, federal government’s silence on the death of 26 young Nigerian girls that perished at the Mediterranean. Read more

4,723 Nigerians slaves in Italy, Russia, Spain
It is shameful that in the 21st Century the evil crime of servitude lurks in every corner of the globe. Read more

53 Killed in Militia Attack, Suicide Bomb Blast in Adamawa
Fifty-three persons have been reportedly killed in Adamawa State following two separate incidents involving an attack by suspected militia farmers against a predominantly Fulani settlement in Numan Local Government Area in the state, and a suicide bombing in a mosque in Mubi, the commercial nerve centre of the state. Read more

Many killed as armed men invade Zamfara communities again
The Police Command in Zamfara State has confirmed fresh attacks by arm bandits on some communities in Shinkafi and Maradun Local Government Areas of the state. Read more

27 die in Adamawa herdsmen, farmers’ clash
The Adamawa State Police Command said 27 persons were killed in an overnight clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Safere and Kodomti villages in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday. Read more

Senate seeks new security design to end killings
Read more

Amnesty says 300,000 people face homelessness as Lagos state government pushes through development plans
Read more

FCT demolishes 500 buildings in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Tuesday demolished about 500 structures in Paipe community near Idu-Karmo, Abuja. The exercise rendered tens of residents homeless, many of whom were seen salvaging some of their valuables from the rubble. Read more

600 Nigerians on death row in Asia
Barely one year ago, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), a human rights organisation, alerted the nation that about 300 Nigerians were on death row in prisons across Asian countries. Read more

Government spends N8.4b yearly to feed 51,614 pre-trial inmates
The Federal Government spends an average of N8.4 billion yearly to feed awaiting trial inmates and persons in juvenile institutions. Read more

Buhari orders release of prisoners in unnecessary detentions nationwide
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed governors and state chief judges to release prisoners who are unnecessarily detained as part of reforms in judiciary. Read more

FG Steps up Efforts to Repatriate $321m from Switzerland
The federal government has stepped up efforts aimed at repatriating $321 million looted funds from Switzerland before the end of the year. Read more

Anti-graft war: CJN tackles Buhari over FG’s disobedience to court orders
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, Monday, tackled President Muhammadu Buhari at the opening session of the 2017 All Nigeria Judges’ conference, saying there is need for the executive arm of government to learn to obey court judgments and orders. Read more

Fayose signs anti-cultism bill into law, prescribes death penalty for offenders
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has signed into law, a bill which prohibits secret cults, terrorism. The bill stipulates that any one caught in the act will get the death sentence. Read more

Malaria: 30 children die every one hour –FG
No fewer than 3o children die every hour in Nigeria as a result of malaria attack.
Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) in the Federal Ministry of Health, Audu Muhammed who made the shocking disclosure in Abuja added that malaria also render a substantial number of children incapable of effective learning. Read more

$60.3bn missing petroleum revenue: Reps to probe CBN, FIRS
Apparently disturbed by the inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, Federal Inland Revenue Service,FIRS to give account of an alleged missing $60.3 billion Petroleum Profit Tax and Royalty revenues, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions November 22 resolved to conduct an investigative hearing into the missing money. Read more

222 seized properties from pension thieves shared, Senate alleges
The Senate on Thursday extended its probe into the controversial reinstatement of former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdul-Rasheed Maina, into the service of the Federal Government to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Read more

Alleged N18b fraud: EFCC arraigns ex-NSITF MD, four others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Umar Munir Abubakar and four others for alleged diversion of N18 billion. Read more

Electoral Process: Persons with Disabilities call for Involvement
Persons with Disabilities, PWD, have called on National Assembly to speed up harmonisation of Disability Bill to enable the president assent to it. Read more

12-yr-old maid roasted in Lagos for stealing N50
For stealing N50, a young girl came within an inch of death, as daylight was beaten out of her and most parts of her body––including buttocks, back and shoulders were disfigured with burns from hot knife until she ended up a horrifying sight that will make even the stonehearted cringe with horror. Read more

MEMBERS' ACTIVITIES

Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) signs Memorandum Understanding (MoU) with Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI)
On the 22nd November 2017, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI) to strengthen the coordination of peace and reintegration efforts for survivors and perpetuators in North East Nigeria. Read more

Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) bails 10 inmates from Kirikiri Medium Prison
The inmates who are majorly from the Northern part of Nigeria were charged before Ogba Magistrate Court 18 for street trading. Read more

CISLAC Sensitises Citizens, CSOs on Rights, Anti-corruption Strategies
The Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALAC) established by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) held a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja recently, to educate citizens and women groups on their rights. Read more

SERAP to Buhari: End obstruction of justice by SSS, NIA officials
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the “face-off between Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials and officials of the State Security Service, (SSS), and National Intelligence Agency, (NIA) as counter-productive to the fight against grand corruption”, and urged “the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently instruct the leadership of the SSS and NIA to allow anti-corruption agencies to carry out their mandate without any interference whatsoever.” Read more

Preliminary Statement by CLEEN Foundation on the conduct of security agents during the November 18 Governorship election in Anambra State.
Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the governorship election in Anambra state will hold on November 18, 2017, people within and outside of the state entertained fears about security before and during the election in the state. Read more

FIDA: Press Release: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
FIDA Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which marks the beginning of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, 2017. Read more

OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS

International Bar Association: Legal Internship Programme
Calling all post-graduate students and newly qualified lawyers. Read more

International Bar Association/Human Rights Institute
Internships at the IBA’s Human Rights Institute Read more

Internship at the CLEEN Foundation
Are you interested in pursuing a career or gaining experience in justice and security sector reforms? Read more

CLEEN Foundation: Call for expression of interest
Expression of Interest (EOI) is hereby invited from suitably qualified Consultants and Service Providers in the following areasRead more

70th Anniversary Celebration for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
For more info on how to join the campaign, click here

Call for inputs
Contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 35/21 -- Deadline 30 November 2017 Read more

Commonwealth Foundation’s Grants Programme: Strengthening the Ability of Civic Voices
The Commonwealth Foundation is seeking applications for its Grants program to support civic voices to share their stories, learn and act together and influence the institutions that shape people’s lives. Read more