In a proactive move to address the pressing issue of Tuberculosis (TB) and advocate for improved legislation and remedies, Lawyers Alert recently paid a visit to Hon. Ogah Amobi Godwin, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on TB/HIV/Malaria. The visit is to ensure collaboration and support in advancing community rights and a gender-focused TB response in Nigeria.

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A 2-Day Capacity Building and Reactivation of Benue State gender and human rights response team.

In 2018, the UNDP supported the inauguration of Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Kogi, Lagos and the FCT State Response Teams as the first sets of response teams 

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A 1-Day SGBV Justice Cluster (SJN)dialogue and session with media practitioners and journalists on ACJL and VAPP laws in Benue State.

The purpose of the session is to leverage media networks and agencies to amplify the SJN advocacy asks on the implementation of laws towards eradicating SGBV in Benue State.

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The Stop TB Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) Round 10 project implementation in Lagos State, with the support of the Lagos State TB and Leprosy Control Program, has seen a remarkable improvement in the fight against tuberculosis. This report provides an overview of the activities undertaken, results achieved, challenges faced and lessons learned during the project implementation.

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The purpose of this dialogue session was to help speed up the adoption of effective practices among the committees responsible for enforcing these laws in Benue State. The participants aimed to exchange insights that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the laws and improve outcomes for survivors of SGBV in the state.

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Lawyers Alert organized a Capacity Building Workshop on documentation rights violation associated with TB. 

The Workshop was held in Lagos.

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Lawyers Alert organized a Capacity Building Workshop on documentation rights violation associated with TB. 

The Workshop was held in Abuja.

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Lawyers Alert organized a stakeholders consultative meeting to identify and map right-based violations associated with TB in light of the recent Stigma Assessment on TB conducted in Nigeria. The meeting brought together different stakeholders towards identifying a broader spectrum of human rights violations under the lens of diverse sector stakeholders. During the meeting, participants identified violations associated with TB from their diverse perspective and in line with their experiences, expertise and contribution to TB response. The meeting also explored ways the Lawyers Alert documentation tool LadockT can be expanded to accommodate human rights violations associated with TB. 

The meeting took place at Lawyers Alert's field office in Abuja. 

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This is the full stakeholder mapping and analysis report on the Litigating Reproductive Justice in Nigeria (LIRN) project. The preliminary report submitted prior has been expanded to include details of mapped stakeholders and actors and the specific skill–set of the Legal Support Network (LSN) members. Also included in the report is the analysis of strengths and level of influence of identified stakeholders on the Project and areas of Partnership and engagement

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Lawyers Alert, within the framework of the project; Litigating Reproductive Justice in Nigeria, with support from Afya Na Haki (Ahaki), held a capacity-building workshop for CSOs, legal practitioners, human rights defenders, select government agencies, legal service providers, etc., titled Building a Justice Network for Reproductive Rights in Nigeria.
The workshop held in Abuja, the FCT, from 11th -12th April 2023. In attendance were the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other notable human rights defenders and development experts.

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For the past 5 years, Lawyers Alert has taken the lead in compiling reports on violations of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Nigeria.

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In the course of this work, data has been gathered from across various parts of the country with the assistance of victims who aided in populating LADOCT. A tool unique to the organisation and four reports have been generated down the line.

In light of this, LA believes it is only proper to share this comprehensive document with its results with partners and the general public.

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Lawyers Alert hosts a panel discussion in commemoration of Human Rights Day discussing the theme " Dignity, freedom and Justice for all".

The discussions x-rayed the process of human rights in Benue State and mechanisms towards improving the protection of rights for all.

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Lawyers Alert hosting Afya na Haki Uganda, at it’s field office, Abuja to discuss issues around capacity enhancement, positive African Narrative-SRHR, health technologies, governance issues on health.
Possible explorations in the regional and African courts especially on strategic impact litigation and having the capacity of lawyers getting enhanced.

The President of Lawyers Alert and the Director of Programs paid a courtesy visit to one of her partners Amplify Change at Bath, United Kingdom on Wednesday 16th of November 2022. 

Discussion during the visit focused on Lawyers Alert SRHR work, the impact of Amplify Change support to Lawyers Alert and its contribution to the SRHR regime in Nigeria.

Conversations also centered on lessons learnt, possible opportunities and areas to explore for advancing SRHR and safe Abortion in Nigeria. 

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The Deputy Director of the fund expressed appreciation to the Lawyers Alert team for making out time to visit and looks forward to other meetings geared towards serving vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

Peace Okeshola, A legal officer with Lawyers Alert and the Stop TB project lead for Lawyers Alert represented us at this event.

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The theme of the Summit is: Harnessing TB Community Experiences to Strengthen the Global Response.

Disturbed over the high cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and it’s negative and traumatic effect on survivors, Lawyers Alert has launched a USSD shortcode to enable more survivors, especially women, girls and the vulnerable in rural areas, have free and prompt access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.

Lawyers Alert held a meeting with about 30 magistrates of the Benue state judiciary in attendance.

At the said meeting, sessions were taken on what petty offences are and the need to apply the law in a way that conforms with the spirt and principles of decriminalization of these offenses.

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On the 4th of November 2021, representatives of the Network of Disabled Women (NDW) paid Lawyers Alert a courtesy visit towards the implementation of the Nigeria Disability Act.
The objective of the meeting: towards strengthening and building opportunities for Women with Disabilities, including accessibility to public and private spaces.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

1. INTRODUCTION

   1. This report is submitted to the UN Committee against Torture as a "shadow" report of the period under review of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to highlight key areas in which the Nigerian government can improve its commitments under the Convention.

1. This report is a joint submission by the following Nigerian CSO’s: Sterling Center for Law & Development, Avocats Sans Frontieres France (Lawyers without borders), Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) and Idris Bawo & Co-led by Lawyers Alert.

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Background

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Lawyers Alert is contributing to positively changing the dynamics of SRHR in Nigeria by the creation of effective SRHR movements, operational networks and collaborations at the grassroots, judicial activism, legal literacy (rights awareness creation) and provision of scientific data on violations. These steps are contributing in no small measure to the changing narrative and positive push for the enjoyment of Reproductive Health Rights in Nigeria.

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Background
By July 2021, a total of 68, 556 persons in Nigeria are in correctional service centers with 70% of these persons awaiting trial. A large percentage of those awaiting trial is on account of Petty Offences. These persons are often the poor and vulnerable in the society owing to the very nature of Petty Offences and economic reasons

INTRODUCTION

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This report assesses the outcome of the capacity-building exercise facilitated by Lawyers Alert and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), for Judges and Judicial Panel Members sitting in 30 states in December 2020 in terms of progress and success rate of the panels. This evaluation is based on desk review, field visits, and interviews with project beneficiaries and partners.

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Upon the approval to constitute Judicial Panels of inquiry to investigate the events that led to the #ENDSARS protests that took place in 2020 in Nigeria and the human rights abuses on citizens by security operatives; the National Human Rights Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr Anthony O. Ojukwu constituted the said Panels in 32 States of the Federation.

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Lawyers Alert provides free legal assistance to women and girls in Nigeria, amongst other interventions. It is in this regard that we are providing free legal assistance to women and girls who have suffered any human rights violation with regard to the #ENDSARS protest.                                                                                                  

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• Lawyers Alert’ work on documentation of rights violations focuses amongst several things on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and more importantly Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This is through our online tool styled “LadockT”. here  The tool captures violations across locations and states, exhibiting types and trends. Using this tool, we have consistently captured and provided data on GBV and VAWG in the last 3 years. The reports can be found here.

• In the wake of COVID-19 & during the period of the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic, Lawyers Alert called for submission of complaints and memos from women and women groups who suffered human rights violations, by state and non-state agencies in any form associated with the COVID-19 lockdown.

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• Overview/Meeting Objectives

The meeting had the following objectives;

1. To understand the challenges of the GU&PDSS (Resources & Technically).

2. Develop a road map for addressing these challenges.

3. To enhance participant skills in understanding their roles and best ways to address issues of SRHR and GBV in a Human Rights and Satisfactory manner.

4. Modus for monitoring, documentation, working together.

• Overview/Meeting Objectives

The meeting had the following objectives;

1. To understand the challenges of the GU&PDSS (Resources & Technically).

2. Develop a road map for addressing these challenges.

3. To enhance participant skills in understanding their roles and best ways to address issues of SRHR and GBV in a Human Rights and Satisfactory manner.

4. Modus for monitoring, documentation, working together.

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Lawyers Alert monitors and documents human rights violations, as well as provides free legal assistance to women and girls in Nigeria. We are aware of the violation of the rights of women during the lockdown associated with COVID-19 as evidenced in the media, both social and traditional. Several human rights agencies, including the National Human Rights Commission, has documented several of this.                                                                          Read More

Lawyers Alert in March 2020, carried out an assessment of small and medium-sized Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right Organizations across the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria. The assessment was centred on the following; Governance; Experience, knowledge and skills; Networking and referral systems; Resource Mobilization; Human Resource Management; Procurement and Financial Management Systems; Service Delivery; Gender Management Systems & Monitoring and Evaluation

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Overview/Meeting Objectives:
The meeting had the following objectives;
1) To understand the scope of petty offenses and SRHR violations
2) To enhance participants skills in reporting and documenting petty offenses and SRHR
violations.
3) Modus for documentation.

Right to Life Initiative, a Key and Affected Population (KAP) focused organization paid an advocacy visit to Lawyers Alert on the 20th of January, 2020 to discuss issues of mutual interest and strengthening of ties between the two organizations.

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On the 6th of February 2020, a representative of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and Open Society Foundation (OSF) and Lawyers Alert rubbed minds on the shrinking civic space and notable Bills like NGO Bill, Social Media Bill, False Information Bill, etc. before the Nigeria parliament. At this meeting were Jeff and Anita from OSF, while LA was represented by Olayemi, Blessing, Roseline, and Bamidele.

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On the 6th of February 2020, representatives of the Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) paid Lawyers Alert a courtesy visit towards mapping organizations working on I. Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE), ii. Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), iii. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), iv. Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and v. Harmful Practices (HP) in the FCT. The mapping is part of their EU-UN Joint Spotlight Initiative on Ending all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls.

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16 days of activism is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November every year, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. To this end, Lawyers Alert as a Rights-Based Organization with a focus on Women and Gender issues joined the rest of the World to commemorate those days. 

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Overview/Meeting Objectives:

The meeting had the following objectives;

1) Introduce the expanded Monitoring and Documentation tool “LADOCKT” to partners and’

2) Train partners on how to use LADOCKT to monitor and document petty offences.

Overview/Meeting Objectives:
The meeting had the following objectives;
1) Adoption of the Action Plan of the Alliance for the Decriminalization of Petty Offenses in
Nigeria and;
2) Tracking and documenting petty offenses in Nigeria

The training commenced with registration and introduction of participants. Thereafter, Roseline Ogehenebrume, Director Program, Lawyers Alert, delivered a welcome address as she acknowledged all participants present. She also thanked participants for making out time for the training despite the short notice and asked them to be participatory and interactive.
 

Lawyers Alert will on Tuesday, 15th October 2019 facilitate a meeting of petty offenses actors in Nigeria on the Decriminalization of Petty Offences in Nigeria (ADPON) & its Partners in FCT,Abuja, with the objectives of adopting the Action plan of the Alliance and discuss on possible ways of tracking & documenting Petty Offences in Nigeria towards periodic publication of scientific data to be used for Advocacy purposes.

Lawyers Alert will on the 12 of September 2019 hold a day Civil society organizations/media follow –up meeting towards the sighing up to OGP (Open Government Partnership) in Benue State. With the objective of Selecting CSO steering committee that will engage the Benue State Government to sign into the OGP. Recall that on the 18th of July Capacity building for CSO’s on OGP was conducted by Lawyers Alert in Partnership with to equip them with the necessary information for advocacy on OGP

Lawyers Alert will on Wednesday and Thursday, 18th and 19th September 2019 meet with Civil Society groups in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, especially Civil Society groups working on HIV with the objectives of carrying out Advocacy against the proposed criminalization of HIV infection in the State. Recall, that the last State Parliament had proposed the passage of Law that will criminalize HIV infection in Akwa-Ibom State and the present Parliament appears to be so minded.

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Follow the link to watch the shot video on Gender-based Violence

by Damilola Ogunsi

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                                                      Click Here to follow the link

Lawyers Alert Staff this month paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli at the Headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to discuss issues of trafficking and gender-based violence. Very illuminating response from the DG. Below is the video.

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                                                     Click Here to watch the Video

The Management of Lawyers Alert visited the Attorney General & Commissioner of Justice, Benue State, where he spoke against violence on women and girls. Below is the video.

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                                                                        Click Here to watch the Video

Petty acts that have been criminalized wears the face of poverty and discrimination. In effect it is a human right issue. When people go to jail for loitering, hawking and similar acts, it's definitely a poverty issue. Towards the decriminalization of petty offences, Lawyers Alert convened a meeting recently in Abuja where activists began a conversation towards the decriminalization. Below is the Video.

As part of our free legal services to vulnerable persons, Lawyers Alert is happy to announce that we have secured the release of John Ibya from prison custody. Sometime in July 2018, Mr ibya was arrested by the police in Aliade and was immediately taken to the police station for the alleged offence of conspiracy, attempted robbery and house breaking. He was arraigned at the Chief Magistrate court Aliade for the said offences. 

On the 24th of September 2018, a case of human trafficking was reported to us at Lawyers Alert for legal advice and possible assistance. That a certain man named Saviour Daboor was placed under arrest and detained by the police at the State Criminal Investigation Intelligence Department (SCIID) Makurdi for an alleged case of human trafficking.

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Introduction

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Lawyers Alert on the 7th of June 2018 organised a one-day sensitization session for selected Civil Society Groups in North Central Nigeria with the aim of fostering law, human rights and effective Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Movement in Nigeria. The North Central sensitization session was held in Makurdi, Benue State and was targeted at Small and Medium Civil Society Organisations and Lawyers in the North Central of the Federation. A total of 10 Organisations were mobilized for the meeting with a total of 22 participants in attendance.

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Background

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Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, in Nigeria is an area which, owing to culture and religion, is neither making as much progress nor being given as much space for expression in comparative terms with more “acceptable” rights.

Violence against Women and Girls, Abortion, Same-Sex Relationships, Female Sex Work, Rights of Persons Living with HIV, Female Genital Mutilation etc. are all issues that citizens regularly confront yet fail to attract commensurate attention in the positive from authorities. Particularly affected are Persons Living With, Affected by or Most at Risk of HIV.

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The problem of gender-based violence (GBV) is an age-long problem in our communities that has led to the loss of lives, emotional disorder, psychological torture, and other forms of human rights abuses. These violations happen more in rural areas than urban areas due to poor access to information, inadequate exposure, and anti-human rights cultural practices, leading to an anti-social environment for women and children.

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The Head Office of Lawyers Alert in Makurdi, Benue State paid an advocacy visit to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency on the 23rd of August 2018. The 3-Person delegation was led by Mr Lazarus M. Ahangba the Programs Manager, alongside Jerome Uneje Programs Officer, and Linus Mbakaan the Administrative Officer.

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As part of our free legal services to vulnerable persons, Lawyers Alert is happy to announce that we have secured the release of John Ibya from prison custody. Sometime in July 2018, Mr ibya was arrested by the police in Aliade and was immediately taken to the police station for the alleged offense of conspiracy, attempted robbery, and housebreaking. He was arraigned at the Chief Magistrate court Aliade for the said offenses. 

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On the 29th day of August 2018, the Hope Sisters Against HIV/AIDS, Stigma and
Discrimination Initiative, a Women-Led Grassroot Civic Group in Makurdi, Benue State paid a Courtesy Visit to Lawyers Alert Head Office in order to identify with the LA and strengthen the existing working relationship between both Organizations.

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