Protection of the Right against Torture under International Human Rights Law: A Critical Appraisal

Torture as a form of violence against the person of another that takes different forms which could be in the form of beating, rape, electrocution and other inhuman treatments of human beings. Torture is a grave violation of human rights and is rigidly prohibited, the use of torture strikes at the centre of civil and political freedoms. Torture was one of the first issues addressed by the United Nations (UN) in its development of human rights standards. Other regional Instruments have equally condemned torture and have called on nation States to take practical steps towards the prohibition of torture. In short torture and other forms of inhuman and degrading treatment are prohibited under international law and cannot be allowed under any circumstances. The local legislation in Nigeria especially the Nigeria Constitution has prohibited torture and has asserted the right of every citizen against torture, inhumane and degrading treatment. This paper intends to examine the right against torture under International law with a view of seeing how it could be effectively utilised for the protection of the individuals against torture in Nigeria.