Reps take action against hate speech and religious murders

Tuesday's House of Representatives session saw the second reading of the National Religious Harmony Commission (Establishment) Bill.

If approved into law, the bill—sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulata—will address issues such as religious killings, discrimination, and hate speech, among other things.

The proposed NRHC's goals were enumerated in the bill, and one of them was to create a legal framework for defending Nigerians' fundamental human rights with regard to questions of religious freedom and liberty.
"Empowered to investigate cases of religious discrimination, victimization, and harassment in all facets of Nigeria and penalize offenders," is how the commission will be given authority. It will also "watch occurrences of religious extremism, including hate speech and other activities, and utterances meant to stir violent passions and prosecute offenders," at the same time.

With the help of the proposed NRHC, government and law enforcement will have an early warning system to spot and stop behaviors that could lead to religious violence and a breakdown in public order.

Additionally, it will conduct research and provide the government and National Assembly with recommendations on how to stop religious extremism and the threats that stem from it.

References

[1] Punch.ng, Reps move against hate speech, religious killings (online, 2022) https://punchng.com/reps-move-against-hate-speech-religious-killings/