Judul : Prison not the end, NHRC, NGO inspire inmates on Mandela Day
link : Prison not the end, NHRC, NGO inspire inmates on Mandela Day
Prison not the end, NHRC, NGO inspire inmates on Mandela Day
Hope Behind Bars Africa, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, has encouraged inmates at the Suleja Custodial Centre, Niger State, not to view their imprisonment as the end of the road, but to remember that their lives remain valuable and capable of making a meaningful impact on society.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), and Programme Assistant at Hope Behind Bars Africa, Ayodele Okedele, made this call on Monday during a visit to the Suleja Custodial Centre to commemorate the Nelson Mandela Day.
During the event, items were donated to inmates, and the release of four prisoners was facilitated through the payment of their fines.
In his remarks, Ojukwu highlighted how the late former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo were once imprisoned yet emerged to lead their respective nations.
He emphasised to correctional officers the importance of upholding the human rights of inmates, noting that while their freedom of movement may be restricted, all other fundamental rights remain intact.
He said, “Although 18 July is the official Nelson Mandela Day, we chose to mark it today to celebrate with inmates at the Suleja Correctional Centre. Nelson Mandela Day is recognised globally in remembrance of Mandela’s life and legacy — particularly his experience in prison and the standards he set for how prisoners should be treated.
“It’s about maintaining their dignity, eliminating poverty, inequality, and discrimination, and reinforcing the idea that incarceration does not strip one of their human rights. Only the right to freedom of movement is affected — for specific legal reasons.”
Ojukwu further stressed that inmates retain rights such as the right to life, food, healthcare, freedom of expression, and dignity, and must not be subjected to torture.
He described the visit as an opportunity to raise awareness and remind inmates that there is still hope, even while behind bars — echoing the mission of their partners, Hope Behind Bars Africa.
“It is not the end of life because you are in custody. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and later became the President of South Africa. President Olusegun Obasanjo also emerged from prison to lead Nigeria.
“Many people in custody have earned PhDs, BScs, and master’s degrees. So, being in custody does not mean a person is a write-off. They can still contribute meaningfully to national development”, he said.
He added that the fines of some inmates have been paid to hasten their release and reintegration into society.
Also speaking, Okedele, reiterated the need for inmates to be treated with dignity and properly cared for, noting that the organisation is committed to the welfare of incarcerated persons.
Okedele stressed the urgent need to improve prison conditions, combat poverty behind bars, and protect the rights and dignity of justice-involved individuals.
“Hope Behind Bars Africa is an organisation deeply committed to the well-being of those behind bars. We are passionate about ensuring that human rights are upheld for all. Today, four inmates were released as part of our ongoing efforts.
“We want them to live a life of dignity behind bars, and we are staying true to our mission”, Okedele said.
Among the items donated were sanitary pads — which he noted are often difficult for inmates to access but are essential for their wellbeing — as well as toiletries and other necessities. He said these donations send a message of dignity, affirming that inmates deserve access to basic essentials.
He urged inmates to re-enter society as people of better character and become contributors to national development.
“They should be committed to nation-building. While we recognise the weaknesses in our justice system, which can sometimes ensnare the innocent, staying committed to doing the right thing reduces the risk of getting caught in its traps. It’s a call for them to become better people in society”, he stated.
Also speaking, Hope Behind Bars Africa’s Legal Consultant, Samuel Olukade, stressed the importance of applying the Bangkok Rules — the United Nations standards for the treatment of women in prison.
He said women behind bars deserve humane treatment that acknowledges their specific needs, and urged correctional institutions to uphold these international standards with compassion and accountability.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Demikianlah Artikel Prison not the end, NHRC, NGO inspire inmates on Mandela Day
Anda sekarang membaca artikel Prison not the end, NHRC, NGO inspire inmates on Mandela Day dengan alamat link https://www.punyakamu.com/2025/07/prison-not-end-nhrc-ngo-inspire-inmates.html
0 Response to "Prison not the end, NHRC, NGO inspire inmates on Mandela Day"
Post a Comment