By Sani ​‌‌⁠‌‌⁠‍⁠⁠‌‌⁠⁠⁠‌‍​‌‌​Idris Abdulrahman

The Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peace-building has commenced drafting a framework to protect human rights defenders in Kaduna state and the North-west

The initiative is supported by Spaces for Change, and the Fund for Global Human Rights.

The convener, Dr Salaudeen Hasheem, said the framework would provide safeguards for defenders facing repression while discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

Hasheem spoke on Thursday in Kaduna at the Technical Working Group Meeting on the Drafting of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Framework for Kaduna and the North-West.

He said human rights defenders had faced challenges while advocating, challenging abuses, exposing corruption and amplifying the voices of vulnerable people.

“Dissent is also part of democratic tenets, and it is not in the interest of democratic growth to attack those holding political powers to account,” he said.

According to him, the framework will provide guardrails for people dedicated to protecting vulnerable and less privileged members of society.

He said defenders should not be labelled enemies of the state because they were also performing constitutional roles and strengthening democratic governance.

Hasheem expressed concern over political repression, arbitrary detention, surveillance, harassment and other actions allegedly targeting people with dissenting views.

He said the framework would create referral pathways and mechanisms to support defenders facing threats, adding that a Human Rights Defenders Network was already emerging.

The convener said the network would serve as a platform for escalating cases and engaging with provisions contained in the proposed framework.

He said the organisers hoped the framework would eventually become legislation in Kaduna and provide a model for other states across the North-West.

Hasheem said consultations would also be held with state Houses of Assembly, the Conference of Speakers and other relevant stakeholders.

He said the initiative was particularly important ahead of elections, when human rights defenders could face increased risks while monitoring and speaking on public issues.

According to him, defenders are objective individuals dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, rather than partisan actors affiliated with political parties.

He said the meeting brought together representatives from government ministries, departments and agencies, security organisations and the National Human Rights Commission.

Hasheem said the Ministry of Women Affairs was also represented because gender remained an important component of human rights violations and protection.

He said the framework would align with existing national and regional commitments, including provisions of the African Charter and the Marrakech Declaration.

The convener said the proposed framework would recognise the legitimacy of human rights defenders and promote civic space for peaceful advocacy.

He stressed that peaceful criticism of government or abuse of power should not automatically be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the state.

Hasheem, however, acknowledged the need for defenders to operate responsibly without taking liberties in ways that could threaten peace and social stability.

He described civil society organisations and government as partners in progress, saying effective governance required strong collaboration between both sides.

Hasheem said the framework should protect defenders while encouraging constructive engagement with government and security institutions.

He said activists had also advocated improved welfare and working conditions for law enforcement personnel, demonstrating that criticism could coexist with partnership.

The convener said the initiative would move from the drafting stage to validation before being presented to relevant legislative and regional bodies.

Also speaking, the Kaduna state Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, described the protection framework as timely and essential to safeguarding human rights defenders.

Salisu, represented by Dr Adamu Abba, Coordinator of Kaduna Diversion Centre, said defenders sometimes faced retaliation after intervening in cases involving vulnerable people.

She said human rights violations occurred in different forms, including domestic violence, requiring defenders to intervene despite possible threats from perpetrators.

She commended the organisers for developing a framework capable of supporting defenders and ensuring their effective intervention in rights-related cases.

Similarly, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Dr James Kanyip, said Kaduna would benefit from the framework addressing the challenges faced by public defenders and others working to protect vulnerable people.

Kanyip, represented by S.Z. Kyari, the Kaduna state Counsel, said even government officials sometimes faced threats and difficult situations while performing their duties.

Kanyip said the Ministry of Justice had a Citizens’ Rights Department established to handle issues affecting vulnerable members of society.

He explained that the department complements the Attorney-General’s responsibilities by addressing citizens’ rights and providing support on issues affecting vulnerable groups.

Kanyip expressed the ministry’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening protection for human rights and vulnerable persons in the state.(NAN)