MIS-USE OF RELIGION TO SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS/VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The contemporary Nigerian society has been beset with religious conflicts that have threatened to tear the fabric of the country�s unity. To a large extent, it can be said that Nigeria of the past boasted of religious flexibility and tolerance for many years. This research examines the misuse of religion to support human rights infringements/violations in Nigeria. The Constitution on religion vis-�-vis human rights in Nigeria. The study found that human rights violation occurred as a result of misuse of religion in Nigeria. The doctrinal methodology was adopted for the study and data were sourced from primary and secondary sources. The study found that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which is dedicated to fundamental rights, includes specific provisions on freedom of religion. However, despite the provisions of the Constitution, religion has been misused in Nigeria and has evidence in forms of violence as a result of religious practices, which has been unleashed on many innocent citizens of this country. The study found that the Constitution includes provisions that allow for the establishments of Sharia courts in some Northern states, which has led to tensions between Muslims and Christians in those areas. The study found that there has been sectarian violence between Christian and Muslim communities, often resulting in loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property, forced conversions and abductions, discrimination in employment based on their religion, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions by Nigerian security forces, blasphemy accusations, and gender-based violence. The study recommends that there should be a review and amendment of laws that contribute to religious discrimination and human rights abuses, ensuring that they align with national and international human rights standards and concludes that, despite the constitutional provisions, the level of human right abuses due to religious intolerance showed that the constitution has been in constant violation has such government should be more pro-active in enforcing the human rights provision of the constitution. �

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urn:uuid:891e602d-d7e5-4fec-9f14-99750269dd65