‘Govt must prioritise human rights to tackle insecurity’

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi. FILE PHOTO

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International law expert and Vice Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Prof Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), has urged world leaders to place human rights at the centre of global responses to rising insecurity, conflicts, and other interlocking crises.

Olawuyi, who also serves as the global vice chair of the International Law Association, made the call in Geneva during his address at the 14th Annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights.

The Forum is the world’s largest gathering on business and human rights and brings together governments, businesses, civil society, affected communities, and international organisations to advance the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

This year’s Forum, themed “Accelerating Action on Business and Human Rights Amidst Crises and Transformations,” convened nearly 5,000 participants and featured prominent speakers, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council Ambassador Salma Rasheed, and Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact Melissa Powell.

Others are Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Chad’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights Dr Youssouf Tom, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson.

Representatives of UNDP, UNICEF, the African Union, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights also participated.

Addressing the plenary, Olawuyi identified the global failure to engage communities meaningfully as a major driver of conflicts, insecurity, and development-related crises.

He stressed that governments, investors, and entrepreneurs must embed human rights considerations into every stage of planning and decision-making to ensure inclusive development.

He said, “A rights-based approach to economic development ensures that agitations and disputes in local communities are addressed transparently and accountably, reducing the risks of conflict and insecurity.

“In these precarious times of interlocking crises and transformations that shake the very foundations of human rights, renewed solidarity is urgently required.

“Economic development that neglects human rights will only result in further crises. We must work together to build a just, accountable, and human rights-oriented global economy that leaves no one behind.”

Olawuyi also called for expanded investment in capacity development, public awareness, and human rights education.

He urged governments and businesses to increase financial and technical support to national human rights institutions, universities, the media, civil society groups, indigenous peoples’ organisations, and human rights defenders.

According to him, empowering these actors will strengthen public engagement, enhance access to remedies, and promote peaceful and sustainable development.

He further emphasised the need for comprehensive human rights training for security personnel deployed in conflict-prone areas.

Olawuyi stressed that improved education and reorientation, especially among the youth, can drive innovation and entrepreneurship that fuel sustainable economic growth.

Calling for a “whole-of-government approach,” Olawuyi challenged states and businesses to match commitments with concrete action by accelerating their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Onozure is a correspondent of The PUNCH on the judiciary beat. She has over a decade experience covering criminal and civil matters from the magistrate to the appellate courts. She’s a graduate of Political Science

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