Sir, - Edwin E. Edobor, Charge d'Affaires of the Nigerian embassy, says (May 22nd) that the Nigerian government will continue "to uphold the principles and practice of freedom, of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of movement of her citizens".
Over recent years, and particularly since 1993, Amnesty International has documented continuing serious human rights violations in Nigeria. These have taken place in the context of heavy government restrictions on the rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly.
The Nigerian military government shows a contempt for the rule of law, including international human rights standards. Violations include detention of prisoners of conscience; torture and ill treatment of detainees; extra judicial execution of civilians and a massive increase in the use of the death penalty.
Amongst those who remain detained without charge or trial are leading members of human rights organisations, journalists, lawyers and doctors, such as Chima Ubani, Dr Tunji Abayomi, Abdul Oroh, Nosa Igiebor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and Ferni Falana. Dr Beko Ransome Kuti, former President of the Nigerian Medical Association and a prisoner of conscience, is serving 15 years in solitary confinement. Chief Moshood Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled presidential elections of 1993, remains in detention, charged with treason.
Guarantees of the rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly contained in the Nigerian constitution have been entirely overriden; special military tribunals override the ordinary judiciary, resulting in unfair trials and brutal sentences.
Dr Owens Wiwa, a member of the Ogoni ethnic group and brother of Ken Saro Wiwa - a prisoner of conscience who was executed along with eight other Ogoni leaders in November 1995 - wrote in The Irish Times (May 17th) of the behaviour of General Abacha's military government. Dr Wiwa also raised questions about the role of multi national corporations in Nigeria, and he specifically highlighted the role of Shell. While Amnesty International welcomes Shell International's statement in January 1996 that it recognises and supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we would like to know what steps Shell will now take to help promote human rights in Nigeria. In particular, what will Shell do regarding one of the most urgent human rights issues now facing Nigeria, namely the fate of the 19 Ogoni prisoners currently facing unfair trial and possible execution?
Without the restoration of respect for human rights in Nigeria, the prospects of increasing instability and human rights violations in the wider West African region remain. Decisive steps are urgently required by the international community to prevent the human rights situation in Nigeria from deteriorating further. Amnesty International urges Shell and all multi nationals to recognise that business corporations, no less than governments and individuals, have a responsibility under the UDHR to uphold human rights wherever they have business operations. - Yours, etc.,
Chairperson,
Amnesty International
(Irish Section),
Sean MacBride House,
Fleet Street,
Dublin 2.