LASHA is committed to promoting the human, socio-economic rights of citizens

The Lagos State House of Assembly has reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting the human rights and socio-economic rights of Nigerians in the state. The Chamber noted that such obligations arise from legal provisions that have been introduced to pursue transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in its legislation in the process of building public trust.

The Assembly made this commitment during the Citizens’ Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF), a monthly interactive stakeholder roundtable on public policymaking and implementation, organized by the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) in collaboration with the Center for Leadership (CACOL).

The aim of the roundtable is to discuss contemporary problems and government policies in the context of the well-being of citizens. The theme of the roundtable is: “Lagos State Environmental Law: Consequences and Impact on Human Rights and Socio-Economic Rights of the People.”

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, in his keynote address, said Lagos, as one of the most populous and vibrant states in Nigeria, plays a key role in setting standards of good governance and effective lawmaking.

The laws passed by the state government, he said, have far-reaching consequences on the lives of citizens, affecting their human rights, quality of life and socio-economic well-being.

Obasa, who was represented by one of the members of the Assembly, Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, said the House had therefore passed the amended version of the Criminal Justice Management Bill.

“The enactment of this Act and its amendment have strengthened the judiciary to nip in the bud cases of police harassment of innocent citizens in the country.

“With the coming into force of this law, parading suspects in the state is now an offense for the police and other security agencies.

“Criminal proceedings can be conducted through audio and video conferencing platforms available in developed countries.
“Victims of crime receive compensation. There is also the Crime Data Register and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Commission to monitor the implementation of the law,” Obasa said.

The speaker added that the state had passed a law prohibiting forcible entry and illegal occupation of land properties, as well as brutal and fraudulent conduct relating to land properties in the state.

He said: “We at the Lagos State House of Assembly are committed to securing the rights of landowners in the state against forceful encroachment and eviction by land grabbers. And that is why we have agreed to hold a public hearing with all stakeholders on the threat of land grabbing in the state.”

Obasa noted that enacting laws that prioritize social protection, economic empowerment and sustainable development will create a more inclusive and equitable society for all people of Lagos State.

He therefore urged everyone to continue to respect the principles of human rights, social justice and sustainable development.

“By upholding these values ​​and working with stakeholders and communities, we can create a legal framework that promotes the dignity, equality and well-being of all residents,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, CDHR President and CACOL Chairman Debo Adeniran said the idea of ​​focusing on the policies and actions of the state government and bringing people together to discuss these issues is based on their determination to ensure that the common man on the street is not shortchanged in result of government policy.

He said they also want to encourage comprehensive and inclusive implementation of government policies aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of the people of the state.