National Security: Senate Moves To Establish Commission On Religious Harmony
PRESS STATEMENT
National Security: Senate Moves To Establish Commission On Religious
Harmony
The Senate, on
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 debated a legislation to establish the National
Religious Harmony Commission – HRHC (establishment) Bill, 2022.
The Bill
sponsored by Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar (Kwara North), scaled through second
reading during plenary.
Leading the debate
on the general principles of the Bill, Sen. Umar said the piece of legislation
seeks to establish the NRHC to serve as an intervention to promote religious
tolerance, peace and harmony in Nigeria.
He observed
that the United Nations (UN) Charter and several provisions of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) are based on the principles of the dignity and
equality of all human beings.
The lawmaker
explained that the UN charter seeks the promotion and respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction to race, sex, language or
religion.
“Having realized
the sensitive role religion plays in national security, peace and harmony, the
Federal Government wishes to promote inter-religious harmony and understanding
due to the Chequers history of religious intolerance in the Nigerian polity”.
He stated that
the Bill seeks to create an enabling environment for the peaceful coexistence
of different religious beliefs within the Nigerian nation as well as provide a
forum for public enlightenment and dialogue.
Sen. Umar,
noted that the Commission when establish would limit controversy and confrontation over
allegations of discriminations based on religious identities, it will also
check the insidious effects of religious bigotry, profiling, stereotyping,
violence, discrimination, extremism and hate speech.
According to
him, the Commission would among other things ensure the protection of right to
religious freedom, assist victims of religious discrimination or violations,
investigate cases of religious extremism and hate speeches, detect and curtail
early warning signals of acts capable of triggering religious tension in the
country.
He added that
the NRHC would be charged with the responsibility to review safeguards as provided
under the Constitution or any law for the protection of religious rights and
recommend measures for their effective implementation and enforcement.
At the end of
the Bill’s debate, it was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the
Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters for further legislative
inputs. The Committee has four weeks to report back.
In a related
development, a bill seeking to amend the Federal Colleges of Education Act to
establish the Federal College of Education Arochukwu, Abia State, by converting
the existing College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, to a Federal College
of Education, also scaled through second reading on Wednesday.
The Bill was
sponsored by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North). Accordingly, the Bill was
referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further
legislative work. The Committee is to report back in four weeks.
Signed:
Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, FAI, FIMC, CMC, FCP, Fsca
Special Assistant (Press)
To President of the Senate
Wednesday, April 6, 2022.