The National Human Rights Commission has issued an advisory on the dignity of the human person in aviation operations in Nigeria.
The executive secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, issued the advisory at a news conference in Abuja against the backdrop of the recent inhuman treatment of Comfort Emanson, a passenger on an Ibom Airplane.
According to Mr Ojukwu, the advisory is pursuant to Section 5(L)(M)(O) of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, 2010.
He said the advisory was addressed to all persons and authorities exercising powers related to airline operations, aviation security, law enforcement, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, among others.
Mr Ojukwu also extended the advisory to media organisations, journalists, content creators, and social media platforms used to disseminate video, textual, and graphic content.
The commission urged all duty-bearers, especially aviation authorities, law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, and others, to uphold the sanctity of human dignity in all decisions and actions.
“The commission reiterated that no circumstance justifies the use of torture or any form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The normalisation of such practices undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust in institutions, and perpetuates cycles of violence and impunity,” he stated.
Earlier at the conference, Mr Ojukwu stated that accountability for these violations was paramount under the laws of Nigeria, including Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Anti-Torture Act.
He added that while this statement does not seek to accuse any specific individual or institution, it buttresses the need for all actors to be held responsible for their actions.
According to him, this includes the original alleged malfeasance of the passenger.
“We note the recent decisions of the government and the aviation authorities in taking decisive actions and issuing amnesty on the alleged offences involving the Ibom Air incident and a recent one involving a ValuJet Airline and Mr Wasiu Ayinde Marshall.
“It is our respected view that all the human rights issues arising from both cases be thoroughly addressed in the interest of the rule of law and justice. These include the aforementioned infractions of the rights to dignity of the human person and privacy and the right to life and safety of self and other passengers,” he said.
(NAN)
