The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the total end to all forms of modern day slavery, including the Osu cast system which is prevalent in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said modern day slavery is at the core of human rights abuse.
He said this in Abuja during the 2020 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (IDRVS) which is observed annually on Aug. 23.
“In spite of the abolition of slave trade several decades ago, many countries including Nigeria are still grappling with other forms of modern day slavery such as human trafficking, sexual slavery, child or forced labour, prostitution, enlistment of minors in military service, servitude or removal of organ for pecuniary benefits, Osu, Ohu and other cast systems,” he said.
” The theme of this year’s remembrance, “Confronting Slavery’s Legacy of Racism Together”, is apt given the fact that racism plays a critical role in promoting slavery” he said.
Ojukwu said the long-term effects of transatlantic slave trade which also have some trappings of racism still reverberate across various societies globally.
He added that all hands must be on deck to fight the menace saying it is high time humanity came to terms with the tenets of human rights which is targeted at enhancing human dignity, equality and respect for fundamental freedoms.
“The relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other regional and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory, all condemn slavery in all its ramifications.
“It is a disturbing trend where young Nigerian men, women and girls are trafficked to various parts of the world including Saudi Arabia, Italy, Libya etc.
In the name of searching for greener pasture only for them to become stranded and face various forms of inhuman and degrading treatment” he added.
The NHRC boss disclosed that the Commission is working assiduously with relevant agencies to stem the tide of all forms of modern day slavery, servitude and other related practices.
Ojukwu condemned the action of some parents locking up members of the families in solitary and inhuman confinements for years with little or no food thereby denying them of their human rights.
He therefore urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspected migration, child abuse or molestation and the attendant human rights violations to the Commission, NAPTIP or the Police, for the necessary interventions. (NAN )
