Strengthening Human Rights Framework in a Multi-Religious and Multi-Ethnic Society Such as Nigeria

Abstract

The paper seeks to examine Nigeria’s multi-religious and multi-ethnic pluralism and the attendant peace and security challenges. It observes that the advent of Islam and Christianity increase the symphony of diversities in the Nigerian territorial space that has been ethnically and linguistically heterogeneous in nature. The paper reviews the existing mechanisms for the management of the country’s diversities and identifies the existing gaps with these initiatives. It highlights the human rights framework in the Nigeria Constitution and that applies to the country by virtue of its international treaty obligations. The paper further explores the viability or otherwise of a right-based approach in the promotion of interfaith and inter-ethnic harmony in Nigeria. Thus, part two of the paper attempts a conceptual clarification of “human rights”, “religion” and “ethnic” within Nigeria’s historical context. Part three examines the nature of ethnic and religious diversities in Nigeria. Part four reviews the human rights framework in Nigeria. Part five explores human rights principles that promote ethnic and religious harmony. Part six draws the conclusion by designing framework for strengthening human rights framework in multi-religious and multi-ethnic country such as Nigeria.