Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development (ALFOPED), with support from Amnesty International, on Monday marked the 2025 International Human Rights Day in Maiduguri with a renewed call for justice, accountability and stronger protection for vulnerable groups in Borno State.
The one-day event, themed “ _Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials”_ and “ _The Essentials of Every Day”,_ brought together security actors, humanitarian organizations, community leaders and survivors of conflict to reflect on the state of human rights in the post-insurgency era.
Participants agreed that future policy recommendations must be shaped by the experiences and testimonies of survivors and victims of conflict, describing this as the only pathway to sustainable peace, unity, understanding and true reconciliation.
Stakeholders at the gathering identified several pressing areas that require urgent action.
They first emphasized advocacy for justice and accountability, insisting that victims of human rights violations deserve closure and fairness.
They urged both local and international bodies to ensure perpetrators are held responsible for abuses.
On the protection of vulnerable groups, participants stressed the need to strengthen legal frameworks and support systems for women, children, and displaced persons, noting that these groups remain the most affected by conflict.
There was also a strong push for continued peacebuilding and stability initiatives, with stakeholders underscoring the importance of community resilience to prevent future violations.
Another key recommendation was the strengthening of human rights institutions. Participants maintained that local institutions must be equipped with adequate capacity and independence to effectively address abuses.
Community education featured prominently as well. Stakeholders called for wider awareness campaigns to enlighten citizens about their rights and responsibilities, alongside deeper partnerships between government agencies, NGOs and civil society.
Given the psychological impact of the insurgency, the forum also highlighted the need for mental health support for survivors, describing it as a critical yet often overlooked component of human rights protection.
Earlier in her welcome address, Executive Director of ALFOPED, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, appreciated guests for their commitment to the post-insurgency rebuilding process.
She explained that the event was designed to reflect on lessons learned after more than 15 years of conflict in the region.
She urged participants to make meaningful contributions, stressing that the objective was to protect the most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. “Human rights has no bound as far as we are all human beings and everybody has his or her own rights,” Hamsatu said.
A high-level panel featuring security officials and humanitarian groups echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that survivors must be treated with dignity, care and fairness, not punished or stigmatized.
They called for stronger advocacy, intensified public awareness, and greater empowerment for women and girls so they can become self-reliant and fully integrated into society.
The panel also insisted that human rights be fully embedded in government laws and policies and implemented without fear or favour.
They maintained that violations must be thoroughly monitored and addressed across all levels of society, reminding participants that every human being has the right to live, work and exist without discrimination.
