Sir, With regard to the comments made by Edwin E. Edobar (June 10th) on letters by both myself and Colm O Cuanachain, I would like to point out firstly that although capital punishment is not a human rights abuse, the misuse of it is - i.e. the execution of innocent people for political purposes. While Nigeria may have a statute book, as Mr Edobar is so anxious to remind us, its very existence does not imply that it is used properly.
Secondly, the fact that the Nigerian government openly welcomed the UN fact finding mission does not mean that Nigeria has nothing to hide. As Mary Sweeney of Trocaire and Frank Jennings of Amnesty International have pointed out, human rights abuses in Nigeria are both widespread and ongoing. To simply say that such outrages are performed in the interests of the state does not render them justifiable.
Finally, the issue at stake here is not to do with the authenticity of people seeking political asylum in Ireland. In his original letter Mr Edobar clearly stated that no Nigerian should have cause to seek asylum outside his country. This, as most people can gather from the facts, is clearly untrue. Mr Edobar is attempting to deny the undeniable. - Yours, etc.,
Cappaghmore,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.