NGO Pushes Bill To Strengthen Anti-Torture Law

Non-governmental organisation, Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF), has intensified efforts for the passage of a bill seeking the amendment of the Nigerian Anti-Torture Act, 2017 to strengthen rehabilitation and psychosocial support systems for victims of torture in the country.

The stakeholders’ intervention is necessitated by the unmitigated plight of torture survivors in Nigeria who continue to face long-term trauma with limited access to proper rehabilitation.

To address the situation, LGCF has organised a focus group discussion of critical stakeholders in Abuja as part of its effort to review, garner support and ensure speedy passage of the amendment bill by the National Assembly.

The proposed bill sponsored by the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Tony Nwoye, and his colleague, Kelvin Chukwu, seeks to amend the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 to ensure that torture survivors receive comprehensive care, legal protection and assistance in reintegrating into society.

Speaking at the opening of the focus group discussion, LGCF executive director, Mrs Kanayo Olisa-Metuh, said the thrust of the draft bill was to ensure that rehabilitation for torture victims was included in the anti-torture Act of 2017 to address the needs of those concerned.

“Now we know that torture is a heinous crime and has no place in any civilised society. However, these things still happen. But when it happens, what do we do afterwards? The first thing that needs to be done is that the perpetrators need to be brought to book and the Act covers that. The second which the Act does not cover is the issue of rehabilitation. You know, in the journey to recovery for any torture victim, it is absolutely important that we think of rehabilitation and that is what this bill seeks to address”, she said.

Noting that rehabilitation of torture victims in Nigerians is usually facilitated by NGOs, Mrs. Olisa Metuh insisted that such intervention must be implemented as a legal obligation for countries including that has ratified the U.N. Convention Against Torture, including Nigeria.

She said her organisation would continue to intensify effort towards the speedy passage and implementation of the amended law.

Also speaking at the event, Senator Nwoye commended the efforts of the LGCF and pledged commitment towards speedy passage of the bill. He also stressed that all necessary steps must be taken to curbing the incidences of torture in the country.

“We are partnering with the Legend Golden Care Foundation not only on the issue of rehabilitation but on deterrence effort such as investigation, prosecution, punishments for people who perpetuate torture. We are expecting that there should be a national committee in charge of this investigation. We are expecting, that when this bill is passed and assented to by Mr. President to have rehabilitation/correction and remoulding of torture victims so that they can be psychologically up and doing to be able to give back to the society.”

Senator Chukwu thanked LGCF for its commitment and assured speedy passage of the amendment bill.

“This bill will not take much time. By the end of this month, it would have passed First Reading; by December, we hope, the Second Reading and Third Reading will be passed”, he said.

The project is funded by the European Union @euinnigeria through the @irct_global and United Against Torture Consortium.