The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, has urged the military to strike a balance between national security, human rights and the rule of law, to understand that all are important.
Nwanguma spoke at the Nigerian Army Human Rights Seminar at the 81 Division Officerals Mess, Outer Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos on 12 September 2024 on the theme: ‘Human Rights and National Security: A Strategic Balance’.
His words: “This seminar represents a commendable step towards enhancing the military’s commitment to human rights and civil-military partnership. Continued advocacy, transparency, and engagement with civil society are essential to ensure that military operations uphold human rights standards and contribute positively to national security.
“There is often a tension between national security interests and the protection of human rights and the rule of law. National security measures can sometimes involve limiting or suspending certain human rights or acting outside the bounds of the rule of law, which can lead to disputes among stakeholders and raise questions about the legitimacy of those measures.
“While national security is undoubtedly important, it is crucial that measures taken to protect it respect human rights and the rule of law. The United Nations, for instance, recognizes that “human rights, the rule of law and democracy are interrelated and mutually reinforcing and that they belong to the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations.” Upholding these values is essential for building a society that is both safe and just.
“Therefore, it is important to find a balance between national security and human rights and the rule of law, and to ensure that national security measures are proportionate, necessary, and in line with international standards for human rights. Open and constructive dialogue between governments, civil society, legal experts, and other stakeholders is necessary to uphold national security while also preserving human rights and the rule of law.”
