DEROGATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: NIGERIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The  Human  Rights  Convention  provides  some  flexibility  for  States  dealing  with  crises  by  giving  them power to derogate from certain Convention Obligations.  It is noteworthy that it is in times of emergency that there is a greater risk for human rights violations due to the possible abuse of powers by States. The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights unlike other Human Rights Conventions does not contain a derogation clause but employs what has been  described as claw back clauses in making provision for derogation.  The  Nigerian  Constitution  however  provides  for  derogation.  The  Article  analyses  the circumstances  under  which  the  derogation  provisions  shall  take  place  under  the  Nigerian  Constitution and  the  superiority  or  otherwise  of  the  African  Charter  over  the  Nigerian  Constitution.  The  Article recommends strategies to ensure effective protection of human rights.