FG demands humane treatment of Nigerians in Indian jails

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged India to guarantee the well-being, dignity, and respect for the fundamental human rights of Nigerians detained in custodial facilities throughout the country. This appeal was made during a meeting with a delegation comprising the National Human Rights Commissions of Nigeria and India, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted her concerns regarding the treatment of Nigerians serving sentences in Indian jails and emphasized the need for improved welfare and human rights protection for these detainees. She emphasized the significance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between the National Human Rights Commissions of Nigeria and India, stating that this agreement could foster institutional cooperation and practical collaboration in the promotion of human rights.

The minister called for strengthening access to justice, enhancing complaint-handling mechanisms, and ensuring equitable access to essential support and services for vulnerable individuals, particularly those in custodial centers. The agreement between the two countries' human rights commissions is seen as an opportunity for Nigeria and India, as members of the Global South, to contribute constructively to a more inclusive international human rights framework.