The Anambra State Police Command has reiterated that any form of discrimination, humiliation, or denial of rights based on caste practices is barbaric, unlawful, and a gross violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Nigerian law.
The Command cites Section 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides that no citizen shall be subjected to any form of discrimination on the basis of community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion, or circumstance of birth.
Likewise, Section 34(1) affirms the right to dignity of the human person and prohibits all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment.In addition, the Discrimination Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2018 criminalizes all forms of discrimination and prescribes penalties for offenders.
In a release signed by the Police Police Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga ,the Command strongly warned that attempts to deny couples the right to marry or live freely together on the basis of caste practices are unacceptable and unlawful.
It stressed that once two consenting adults agree to marry, no cultural barrier or discriminatory practice has any legal standing to override their constitutional rights to freedom of association (Section 40), family life, and dignity.
The Police Command further stressed that Nigeria is governed by the rule of law and not oppressive or degrading traditional practices, and anyone found culpable of enforcing caste-based discrimination will face the full weight of the law.
It urged residents of Anambra State to promote peace, equality, and mutual respect for human rights, and to report any incident of caste-based discrimination to the nearest Police Station for appropriate action.
‘The dignity, freedom, and security of every individual remain top priority for the Anambra State Police Command,”, the release asserted..
