By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

The Human Rights Committee of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly has marked the World Human Rights Day in partnership with the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV) with a call for the review of existing laws against gender abuse and human Rights violations.

The gathering of State Legislators led by the Chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Ted T. Elemeforo and the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV) led by the President, Dr. Dise Goddy Harry also witnessed the recognition and award of excellence to Fifteen distinguished personalities involved in the human rights advocacy.

Among those honoured is the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, King Peremobowei Shedrack Erebulu for his advocacy against female Genital Mutilation, the Wife of the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Council, Queen Timinipre Dakolo for her advocacy against violence against the girl Child, Her Royal Majesty Queen Tecy Diongoli for her strong posture in defence of the Girl Child, the Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Vivien Brisibe PhD for her role as Chairperson of the NBA Committee on Human Rights and owner of the Sunny Springs Event Arena, Bolou Ebi Esther Opukiri Esq for her support towards the protection of the girl child.

Also in attendance were the second National Vice President, Dr Joan Filatei and all members of the AWAGBV including representatives of the National human Rights Commission, Gender Vanguard CDS of the National Youths Service Corps led by Ngozi Perpetual Awuze, other human Rights advocates.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Ted Elemeforo commended all key players in the fight to reduce human rights abuses and described the human rights.

He promised that the present state house of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Abraham Ngobere will take a second look at existing laws to allow for quick justice to those persons violated, “I want to also call on our traditional institutions and other key stakeholders to look out for the protection of women and ensure the protection of human rights”

He also said the State House of Assembly have started the process of looking at the gaps in the existing laws.

Two other State Legislators at the event, Hon. Godbless Oyinke and Hon. Hon. Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba threew their weights behind the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Human Rights,promising to support all efforts to improve legislations to protect the rights of women and child in the state.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa Branch, Mr. Clement Bibisa Kekemeke Esq and the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State Chapter, Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai Esq agreed that there is the need to review and domesticate the existing legislations to have more bite and protect victims rights and privileges infringed upon.

The Grand Patron of the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV), Chief (Dr.) Antonia Garner, in a lecture on the difference and similarities in the existing legislation in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, said though there are similarities in purpose but a huge difference in the implementation of the laws against human rights violations and Gender based violence.

Dr. Antonia Garner, who is a practicing social worker in the United Kingdom, said while the protection of Rights are embedded in article 8,16 and 17 of the UK laws, it is complex for existing laws of Nigeria to protect the people.

According to her, the existing laws in UK,United States and Nigeria are meant to protect it’s citizens, ” But Nigeria needs to do more in the area of legislation locally to protect and solve existing social problems. There is the need for State Assemblies. national Assembly, the Court and the Government to work together.”

In her contribution, the Permanent Secetary of the Bayelsa Ministry of of Women Affairs, Children Affairs and Social Development, Ms Agnes Oloye called on Gender Advocacy groups to take advantage of the existence of a safe house for the victims of gender abuse and ensure that the Ministry is called upon during challenges.