Sifte Radio

Tag: constitutional rights

  • NIGERIA : NDC Groups Reject Kogi Court Judgment, Threaten Nationwide Protest

    NIGERIA : NDC Groups Reject Kogi Court Judgment, Threaten Nationwide Protest

    Several groups affiliated with the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) have rejected a recent court judgment delivered in Kogi State, describing the ruling as unacceptable and warning that they may embark on nationwide protests if their concerns are not addressed.

    The groups made their position known shortly after the court’s decision, arguing that the judgment does not reflect justice and fairness. They called on the relevant authorities to review the ruling, insisting that it has generated widespread dissatisfaction among their members and supporters.

    Speaking on behalf of the coalition, representatives of the NDC groups maintained that they would continue to pursue all lawful means to challenge the outcome of the judgment. They stressed that peaceful demonstrations remain an option should their demands continue to be ignored.

    According to the coalition, plans are underway to mobilize supporters across various states if the issues surrounding the judgment are not resolved through legal and constitutional processes.

    The groups urged their members to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting further directives from the coalition’s leadership. They also appealed to security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble and express their views peacefully.

    The court ruling, which has attracted significant public attention, has sparked fresh debate over legal proceedings and political developments in Kogi State. While supporters of the judgment have welcomed the court’s decision, opponents argue that it raises concerns requiring further legal scrutiny.

    Legal experts note that parties dissatisfied with a court judgment have the constitutional right to seek redress through the appellate courts rather than resorting to unlawful actions.

    Political analysts believe the latest development could heighten political tensions if dialogue and legal channels are not effectively utilized to resolve the dispute.

    As reactions continue to emerge, authorities are expected to closely monitor the situation to ensure public order while safeguarding the rights of all parties involved.

    For now, the NDC groups insist they remain committed to pursuing justice through peaceful and democratic means, even as they keep open the possibility of organizing nationwide protests in response to the controversial judgment.

    Swifteradio.com

  • Court Grants Trudeau Government Extension to Fix ‘Lost Canadians’ Citizenship Rules — with Conditions

    The federal government has received a brief extension to revise citizenship laws affecting “lost Canadians” born abroad, following an Ontario court’s ruling requiring Ottawa to reinstate their citizenship rights.

    Despite lacking a comprehensive plan for urgent cases impacted by the delay, the government was granted a reprieve to amend the Citizenship Act, specifically to address the “second-generation cut-off” rule deemed unconstitutional by the court six months ago. The rule denied automatic citizenship to children born outside Canada if their parents were also born overseas.

    On Wednesday, just before the original deadline, the government requested a six-month extension, citing the introduction of amendment bill C-71 in May. This bill aims to grant citizenship to those affected and address legislative gaps to prevent future issues. Officials highlighted the complexity of the legislative process, which includes training immigration staff, updating forms and websites, and coordinating various efforts.

    Judge Jasmine Akbarali granted only a seven-week extension, emphasizing the need for an interim plan to handle urgent citizenship requests and pushing for the passage of Bill C-71 by December 19. She stressed the importance of balancing the government’s need to fix the issue properly and the continued hardship faced by affected Canadians.

    “While it has been working on the legislation, the respondent has not proceeded with any sense of urgency to rectify the unconstitutional aspects of the legislation,” Akbarali noted in her decision. She criticized the government for not having an effective mechanism to address the hardship caused by the delay.

    The judge highlighted that approximately 170,000 first-generation women born abroad, who are at the age where family planning decisions are made, continue to be affected by the current law. The court compared the delay in passing Bill C-71 to other bills that were expedited, such as Bill C-62 regarding medical assistance in dying, which passed swiftly earlier this year.

    “There is no explanation as to why this bill is languishing since May 23, 2024, when the government was aware of the date on which the suspended declaration of invalidity was set to expire,” said Akbarali. She added that the current law interferes with Canadians’ Charter rights, affecting their decisions on living arrangements and family planning.

    The government’s proposal to grant citizenship at the immigration minister’s discretion during the interim was deemed “ineffective and poorly communicated” by the judge. Toronto lawyer Sujit Choudhry, representing six families in the constitutional challenge, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, which included granting citizenship and compensation to three of the families.

    “They now have the full benefit of the court’s judgment,” Choudhry stated. “They are not second-class citizens anymore. It was very important for them that there be accountability. They led this fight not just for themselves, but for everyone like them.”

    The parties will reconvene on August 1 to review the government’s progress on the interim plan and efforts to pass Bill C-71 by the new deadline. The court will then make a final decision regarding the extension to December 19.

    The “second-generation” cut-off was initially introduced by a Conservative government, removing the “connection test” for descendants reclaiming citizenship based on their ties to Canada. Despite numerous amendments, many Canadians remain affected by these rules.

    Source: Toronto Star