Prof Joy Ezeilo, a former UN Rapporteur, has expressed concern about the Western world’s current racism against the African continent, calling it “uncalled for” because everyone is born equal.
The call was made by Ezeilo, a law professor, during the presentation of a book titled “Joys of Human Rights” in her honor and in commemoration of the 2021 International Human Rights Day.
According to her, the 2021 theme of “Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights” has become so important because everyone is equal, as stated in Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“No one should be discriminated against because of their religion, gender, race, or political beliefs.”
“Globally, there is a lot of division where there were gender, income, vaccine, and health inequalities, and now we are witnessing racism against Africa.”
“Africa is perceived as the world’s disease continent, and everyone is closing their doors against Africa.”
“There will be equal attention and opportunities with mutual understanding if everyone is equal,” Ezeilo said.
She emphasized the importance of caring for one another, vaccine equality, and the assurance that everyone in Nigeria was entitled to healthcare, which was one of their basic human rights.
Human rights activist Ezeilo emphasized the importance of bringing perpetrators of human rights violations to justice in order to ensure citizens’ rights are protected.
However, the founder of the WomenAid Collective (WACOL), an NGO, urged Nigerian law enforcement officers to stop violating and abusing human rights and to ensure adequate respect for citizens’ rights.
Ezeilo stated that there is a need for government at all levels to respect and protect its citizens’ human rights as enshrined in the laws of the land.
She went on to say that everyone must unite to put an end to impunity and hold those responsible accountable for violations and abuses of human rights.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the book was written by Dr Obiajulu Nnamuchi and Dr Ndubuisi Nwafor from the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus to honor Ezeilo for her role in promoting women’s and children’s rights.
Ezeilo, on the other hand, praised the book’s authors for recognizing her contributions to human rights promotion, saying the honor would motivate her to do more.
Prof. Jummai Audi, who presented the book earlier via zoom, stated that Ezeilo devoted her life to fighting for the rights of women and children.
Audi, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC), stated that Ezeilo had traveled the world bringing Nigeria to the world and that he deserved to be recognized.
NAN also reports that the United Nations designates December 10 as International Human Rights Day.
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