Panelists on Agate Radio current affairs discussion programme, have canvassed stronger institutions of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to protect the rights of citizens from being trampled upon under a democracy.
They also emphasised that in a democratic setting, sovereignty of the nation resides with the people, therefore, citizens must be aware of their rights and demand such rights to be protected by institutions saddled with the responsibility.
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The panelists, a Political Scientist, Doctor Raymond Anumve and a Legal Practitioner, Barrister Sunday Sabe, drew attention to these, in their separate analysis on the Monday edition of PERSPECTIVES which discussed citizens’ rights in a democracy.
Doctor Anumve noted that there has been low level of awareness on the part of citizens on what constitutes their rights, saying civil society organisations and faith-based organisations must step in to deepen the awareness and advocated stronger institutions.
Speaking on the responsibility of citizens under a democracy, Doctor Anumve said citizens must demonstrate loyalty and patriotism to the country and respect the rights of others, lamenting that there is a decline in the quality of participation of citizens in the democratic process.
Barrister Sabe who was also a lead discussant on the programme said public institutions in the country appear to be generally weak in executing their mandates, stressing that protecting the rights of citizens can only succeed, when institutions are made stronger than individuals.
According to him, inalienable rights of citizens are enshrined in the constitution, and it is the responsibility of Government to citizens to ensure the protection of such rights.
The visually impaired Legal Practitioner advised citizens whose rights are violated to seek redress by approaching the National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council or the Directorate of Citizens Mediation Centre in the State Ministry of Justice to seek remedies.
