(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 released the following statement of 14 April 1998: ARTICLE 19, the International Centre Against Censorship, today called on the UK government to show consistency and resolve in its ethical foreign policy by co-ordinating international action against the Nigerian military regime, beginning with the G8 summit this week. Malcolm Smart, Deputy […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 released the following statement of 14 April
1998:
ARTICLE 19, the International Centre Against Censorship, today called on the
UK government to show consistency and resolve in its ethical foreign policy
by co-ordinating international action against the Nigerian military regime,
beginning with the G8 summit this week.
Malcolm Smart, Deputy Director of ARTICLE 19 said:
“Nigeriaâs democratically elected leader, Moshood Abiola, has now been
imprisoned for four years. The human rights situation is appalling, yet
there has been no change in the international communityâs âwait and seeâ
policy, although it is now evident there will be no transition to genuine
democracy. The Nigerian people can legitimately ask why the UK has not used
its considerable power as President of the European Union, and as a member
of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, to demonstrate a serious
commitment to human rights. The UKâs âethical foreign policyâ will lack
credibility unless it is applied consistently and transparently, in spite of
political or economic repercussions”, he concluded.
Not content with engineering his adoption as the sole candidate in Augustâs
presidential “elections”, General Sani Abacha, leader of the military
government, is increasing his crackdown on opposition and free speech. On
Friday 8 May, the convenor of the United Action for Democracy, Olisa
Agbakoba, was once again detained on his return to Nigeria from a trip
abroad. This follows shooting by police of protesters in the streets and the
handing out of more death sentences and life sentences to alleged “coup
plotters” after unfair secret military tribunals. With the conviction of
Niran Malaolu, five prominent journalists are now facing lengthy prison
terms as “accessories to treason.” Many other journalists are imprisoned,
including Babafemi Ojudu, whom the Nigerian regime recently claimed had been
released.
EU leaders are due to meet in Cardiff in June. ARTICLE 19 is calling for
additional tough measures to be taken against Nigeria at that meeting. It
also urges the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to bring forward the
time of its next meeting, due originally in July, in response to recent
developments in Nigeria.
“CMAG will be humiliated and discredited if it does not stop prevaricating.
Indeed, ARTICLE 19 supports the view that an extraordinary Commonwealth
summit on Nigeria may well be justified”, said Malcolm Smart.
