Dogara, Stakeholders Back Domestication of Stockholm Convention, Rome Statute

 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and other critical stakeholders on Wednesday expressed strong support for the moves by the National Assembly to domesticate the Stockholm Convention and the Rome Statute.

The Speaker particularly reiterated the commitment of the lower chamber to prioritising issues related to human rights and protection of the environment.

He spoke at a one-day public hearing organised by the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreement on two bills which are ‘Bill for Act to Give Effect to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and for Other related matters and a bill for an Act to Provide for the Enforcement and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes, Genocide and for Other related Offences and to Give Effect to Certain Provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Court in Nigeria’.

Dogara said the domestication of the bills would among other things, lead to increased foreign direct investment (FDI) and lowering of the administrative cost of taxation.

He said the bills are particularly important to the country "because they are meant to protect human lives and secure the health of the people as well as the environment. In addition, he said: “They would lower the administrative cost of taxation and encourage the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to our country.”

The Speaker said the House appreciated the need to be responsive and take initiative on issues of the environment and health as well as national economic challenges, stressing that the legislations will reinforce the provisions of the Right to Life in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Also, a human rights lawyer, Prof. Agbo Madaki, who made his submission on behalf of the people of Benue State, said the domestication of the Rome Statute would safeguard higher values, including protection of human rights and ensuring accountability of those responsible for the commission of internal crimes within and outside the country.

He said the passage of the bill would be a watershed for the people of Benue State who had sought redress over the recent carnage against its people.

Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Benson Olugbuo, said the domestication of the Rome Statute under Nigerian law indicated willingness by government to confront impunity.

However, he said political will remained a critical factor for effective implementation of the Statute.

"We support the enactment of this bill as it shows that Nigeria is ready to confront international crimes in the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) commended the National Assembly for the laudable task, stressing that the importance of the bill to the country cannot be overemphasised.

The commission said the proper implementation of the proposed law would aid the fight against human rights violations in the country.

Another group, Access to Justice, said the bill could be instrumental, "where the Attorney General fails to give consent to a proposed prosecution; other institutions could review his decision or commence action on his behalf.

"We suggest that in the event that the Attorney General refuses to prosecute, the rationale behind his refusal should be disclosed and made the subject of review by an impartial body possibly a judicial one.”