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ABUJA – A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) under the aegis of Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF) has intensified efforts for the passage of a bill seeking the amendment of the Nigerian Anti-Torture Act, 2017 to strengthen rehabilitation and psychosocial support systems for victims of torture in the country.
The stakeholders’ intervention is necessitated by the unmitigated plight of torture survivors in Nigeria, who continue to face long-term trauma with limited access to proper rehabilitation.
To address the situation, LGCF has organised a Focus Group Discussion of critical stakeholders in Abuja as part of its continuing effort to review, garner support for and ensure speedy passage of the amendment bill by the National Assembly.
The proposed bill sponsored by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Tony Nwoye and his colleague, Kelvin Chukwu, seeks to amend the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 to ensure that torture survivors receive comprehensive care, legal protection and assistance in reintegrating into society.
Speaking at the opening of the Focus Group Discussion, LGCF Executive Director, Mrs Kanayo Olisa-Metuh informed that the thrust of the draft bill is to ensure that rehabilitation for torture victims is included in the Anti-torture Act of 2017 to address the needs of those concerned.
“Now we know that torture is a heinous crime and has no place in any civilised society. However, these things still happen. But when it happens, what do we do afterwards?
“The first thing that needs to be done is that the perpetrators need to be brought to book and the Act covers that. The second which the Act does not cover is the issue of rehabilitation. You know, in the journey to recovery for any torture victim, it is absolutely important that we think of rehabilitation and that is what this bill seeks to address,” she said.
