An Appraisal of International and Domestic Instruments for the Protection of Human Rights

Authors

  • Idachaba Martins Ajogwu Faculty of Law, Kogi State University

Keywords:

Human Rights

Abstract

This paper took a cursory look at the decline in protection and redress for victims of crime in Africa, and Nigeria in particular, with the inception of colonialism and imposition of alien court and legal systems on the territories. The upsurge of crime and criminality in the society undoubtedly have reached an alarming proportion that the society is rudely exposed and vulnerable to its consequences, the advancement of new and dangerous criminal activities that defy scientific advancement and threaten both survival and security of man; hence the need to interrogate and examine international and domestic instruments for the protection of human rights. The methodology adopted in this paper was doctrinal. Both Primary and Secondary resources were employed in carrying out this study. Legal textbooks, seminar papers, journal articles, internet resources, national constitutions, human rights instruments and other related statutes were examined. The paper found that there are inadequate victim-friendly legislation to meet with international standards. The paper also found that the Courts, particularly trial Courts abuse the grant of ex parte Orders. This paper therefore advocates promulgation of victims- friendly legislation and the establishment of Victims’ Compensation Commissions or Boards by African countries, like their counterparts in Europe and America. We recommended further that when such Boards or Commissions are established, they should be manned by credible and eminent persons in law and cognate areas; with the sole responsibility of identifying and compensating genuine victims of crime accordingly.

Author Biography

Idachaba Martins Ajogwu, Faculty of Law, Kogi State University

Idachaba Martins Ajogwu Esq. LL.B (HONS.) LL.M, PGD, FCent, PH.D (IN VIEW), Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Kogi State University, Anyigba

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Published

2021-10-01