A Non Governmental Organization ANPEZ centre for Environment and Development has ended a one day conference on torture prevention and Right Awareness.
The event which took place on May 7th 2013 was held at the conference Hall of the Ministry of Justice Secretariat, Port Harcourt.
According to the coordinators of ANPEZ, the aim of the conference is to create awareness on the illegality of torture and reprieves available to victims, while training stakeholders, civil society organization, government agencies on prevention, control and monitoring of torture.
Earlier, the moderator of the programme Barr. Churchill Ibeneche told participants that torture prevention and right awareness campaign have a lot of benefit which include increased in knowledge awareness and understanding of the project.
Barr. Chuchill Ibeneche stated that those whose right have been violated should seek legal assistance.
He call on both state, LGAs, individuals, agencies and civil society organization to seek ways of effective prevention, control and monitoring the mechanism like the UN convention against torture.
Also speaking the Rivers State commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu has explained the efforts by the Rivers State Command in managing the issues of torture by law enforcement officers.
The commissioner represented by the Divisional Police Officer DPO Elekahia Division, Sp Sogbeba said the state command have taken aquate measures to end torture by the police especially the establishment of human right desk at all the police station to check cases of human right abuse perpetrated by the police.
The commissioner advised the public to report any police officer who engages in torture against any person without fear.
In his goodwill message a military police officer Capt S. K Samuel said most times, it is the civilian that invite or raise false alarm to the military to torture their fellow civilian which he described as case of torture and task civilian to love themselves.
In her presentation, Mrs. Sarah Orage of the National Human right Commission (South-South Zone) delivered a speech on challenges and pitfall: efforts and Achievement in the development and domestication of the UNCAT.
Mrs. Orage maintained that National Human Right Commission primary duty is to protect and promote human right which they have done in collaboration with the police.
She said the commission have organized series of training with the Nigeria Police improvement even if there are some overzealous one among them, while tasking the public to also beam their searchlight on other agencies like the Armforces, the state security service, the customs, immigration and the prisons.
In their separate interview with journalist the project coordinator of ANPEZ Barr. Nathaniel Akpos and Barr. Gabriel Ibanichuka describe the conference as one of the surest way to spread the awareness on torture and admonished the general public to stand against torture.
During the interactive sessions participants told the representative of the commissioner of police to set up monitoring team at the different police station across the state to monitor torture.
Some participants task police not to use torture to obtain statement from suspect or those under detention.###
Pius Dukor
