The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal and State Governments to make human rights a lived reality for all citizens in Nigeria.
MRA made the call on Tuesday in commemoration of this year’s International Human Right Day where it urged them to honor their constitutional and international obligations to uphold human dignity.
MRA’s Programme Officer, Esther Adeniyi, in statement sent to WikkiTimes expressed concerns over the state of human rights in the country, describing Nigeria as a place where “only the fittest survive” and human life holds diminishing value.
She highlighted widespread challenges, including extrajudicial killings, police brutality, arbitrary detentions, gender-based violence, and the suppression of fundamental freedoms such as expression and assembly.
“The Federal Government has duties under international law to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights,” Adeniyi said. “It cannot claim to uphold these responsibilities while failing to address the immense human rights violations affecting millions of Nigerians.”
She also condemned the growing attacks on journalists and media professionals, calling for investigations to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure a safe environment for press freedom.
This year’s Human Rights Day theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” emphasized the urgency of safeguarding individual freedoms, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status.
