From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State government has stressed the need for security operatives in the State to adopt Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, VPSHR.
Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs Chief Hon. Joseph Terwase Har said this during a training workshop on VPSHR organized by his office, Special Adviser on Security and Strategic Liaison Lt Col Alex Igbaya Anshingu rtd and National Human Rights Commission, Benue State Office in Makurdi att the weekend.
Chief Har noted that the essence of these principles is to ensure a balanced approach between security and human rights, adding that the initiative is meant to promote human rights within security operations.
The session, led by Dr. Joseph Terna Wanshe, a distinguished human rights expert from the National Human Rights Commission, Benue State Office, marks the NHRC’s first major activity at its new location since moving from the MDGs Office Complex on Kuanum Street, Old GRA, Makurdi to their current location at 2a Jonah Jang Crescent, opposite the INEC headquarters in Makurdi.
Dr. Wanshe, the Chief Investigation Officer who also serves as the Acting State Coordinator of the NHRC Benue State Office, acted as a resource person at the occasion, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to human rights education for security personnel.
The Acting Human Rights State Coordinator who also, provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the VPSHR framework, designed to help security personnel integrate respect for human rights into their operations, said the document aims to foster ethical conduct, accountability and transparency within the security sector.
Wanshe said the training also laid the foundation for a forthcoming Code of Conduct document for security personnel in Benue State, which will incorporate the VPSHR guidelines.
He stated optimistically, “this training empowers our security personnel to perform their duties with a rights-compliant approach, which is essential for building trust and fostering protection within our communities.”
