NHRC received 1,500 complaints in 2022 

The National Human Rights Commission in Kano State has said it received no fewer than 1,500 complaints of alleged human rights abuses in 2022.

The NHRC State Coordinator, Shehu Abdullahi, made the disclosure in Kano on Monday.

He said that out of the figure, 1,296 cases had been treated, while 204 were still pending.

According to Abdullahi, 1,320 cases were on sexual and gender violence, threat to life and harmful cultural practices.

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He said others were on witchcraft, female genital mutilation and abandonment of family responsibility, which was the most rampant.

He added that 120 cases bordered on denial of children’s rights to education, survival and health.

The NHRC state coordinator said the remaining cases received during the period were on labour matters and landed property.

“The commission will sensitise the general public and create awareness for voters ahead of upcoming general elections.

“We want them to know the right to vote and be voted for since it is a fundamental right,” he added.

Abdullahi further explained that the commission had come up with a project to liaise with civil society organisations to monitor the prevalence of hate speech, particularly on social media.

He added that there would be town hall meetings with governorship candidates in the second week of February in the state as the general election fast approaches.

Meanwhile, the state coordinator said the rate at which young children engaged in social vices had become very alarming and that this was due to parents’ lack of interest in the moral upbringing of their wards.

He said some parents also do not provide all the necessary items needed in schools, especially those in Tsangaya boarding schools.

“In most of the remand homes in Kano, many children are being arraigned in courts with serious capital offences such as rape, kidnapping, manslaughter, among others.

“There is a need to check the background of these children and address it speedily,” he added.