The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has stated its readiness to collaborate with the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari under its European Union Funded Projects.
In a press statement issued by the UNODC’s Outreach and Communications Officer, it said that the Organization has taken cognizance of President-elect’s document titled, “my covenant with Nigerians”, which was issued before the general elections that brought him to power, in which he expressed his readiness to make far reaching changes, including access to justice and respect for human rights.
The statement further described as laudable and novel, the incoming government’s request from different stakeholders and civil society groups to make inputs so as to enrich programmes of government slated to take off on May 29th. It said the request was well received as it is seen as an opportunity for civil society to deepen its contribution to justice reforms among others in Nigeria.
In its contribution to agenda setting on human rights and justice reforms, the organization identified six key areas that the incoming government should tackle headlong to include the administration of criminal justice and access to justice, anti corruption, civil and political rights, socioeconomic rights, women’s rights and rights of person living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups which was captured to be implemented on short term, medium term and long term basis.
It also urged the incoming government to make institutional reforms that would strengthen operations of anti corruption agencies as well as decongestion of prison and pre-trial of accused in criminal justice administration even as United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime would in conjunction with other international and local civil society organization were set to monitor implementation of proposed actions by the incoming government.
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