The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill for
an Act to prohibit the stigmatisation of victims of insurgency or militancy.
The bill, which was sponsored by Ahmed Yerima (Kano-APC),
sought to provide for prosecution of any person or group, who may prevent such
victims from reintegrating in the community.
Leading the debate on the bill, Mr. Yerima had said that the
bill, if passed, would uphold and protect the fundamental rights of the victims
to dignity and freedom of association as enshrined in the Constitution.
According to him, the bill targets victims of Boko Haram
insurgency, who after rehabilitation, still find it difficult to reintegrate
due to stigmatisation.
While canvassing support for the bill, the lawmaker stressed
the need for a mechanism to restrain those who stigmatised such victims in the
country.
In his contribution, the Chairman, House Committee on Rules
and Business, Emmanuel Orker-Jev (Benue-APC), opposed the bill.
Mr. Order-Jev argued that what the bill sought to achieve
had been provided for in relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He said “the Constitution is supreme over Acts of
parliament” and urged members to drop the bill.
After contributions by members, the bill was rejected
through a unanimous vote put by the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara.
Source:Premiumtimes Ng
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