AFSC Statement on Nigeria

[Mira Tanna <mvtanna@artsci.wustl.edu>]

  Statement from the American Friends Service Committee, Adopted June, 1997
  
  	"...Learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed."
  Isaiah 1:17
  
  	The American Friends Service Committee affirms its commitment to
  justice and the protection of human rights which compels us to speak out
  in strong support of the Nigerian people and their struggle for respect
  for human rights, free and fair elections, and economic justice. AFSC
  joins the international community in calling upon the Nigerian military
  government, headed by General Sani Abacha, to follow through with
  transition to a civilian and democratic government.
  
  	The United Nations, the World Council of Churches, Amnesty
  International, Human Rights Watch/Africa, the International Commission of
  Jurists, and the United States of America's Department of State have all
  documented widespread human rights abuses by the Abacha regime.
  	
  	The June 12, 1993 presidential election is believed to have been
  won by Chief M. K. O. Abiola, but was annulled by the Nigerian military.
  In defiance of wide spread opposition, General Abacha seized control of
  the government in November 1993. Since the annulment of the election, the
  military government has engaged in widespread human rights violations and
  the systematic suppression of the democratic opposition, the imprisonment
  of pro-democracy leaders, detention without trial, torture, censorship of
  the media, and stifling of the labor movement. Some of the most
  well-documented examples of abuses are: the 1995 internationally opposed
  military trials and subsequent executions of nine Ogoni leaders, including
  Ken Saro-Wiwa; the detention and solitary confinement of Chief Abiola
  since 1993; the treason charges against 14 prominent pro-democracy
  activists, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka; and the current
  detention of 19 Ogoni leaders facing a military tribunal.
  
  	The American Friends Service Committee joins the international
  community in calling for greater awareness about the extent of fundamental
  human rights violations in Nigeria--the abuse of natural resources, and
  destruction of the environment by multinational corporations, especially
  oil producing companies--in order to build support to pressure the Abacha
  military regime to halt the abuses.  
  
  	The people of the Niger Delta have a unique and compelling
  situation that demands special attention. They have one of the world's
  most valuable and sought after natural resources, oil. Domination by
  multinational corporations with little or no regard for the well-being of
  the people, and oppression from a long list of military dictators has
  almost completely divested the people of the Niger Delta from the
  socio-economic benefits from oil revenues. They have suffered through
  massive human rights violations, political oppression, and environmental
  genocide.
  
  	All Nigerians and indeed the international community, have a stake
  in respecting and protecting minority rights, and assisting the people of
  the Niger Delta in holding multinational oil companies accountable for
  their negligence. In particular, the Shell International/Shell Petroleum
  Development Corporation's negative business practices and its destructive
  environmental policies have had a profound impact on the environment.
  There is further indication that Shell's involvement has violated the
  fundamental human rights of Nigerians in the Niger Delta region, and given
  support to the Abacha military regime.
  	
  	The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), formed
  in 1990 in response to Shell's business practices and environmental
  degradation of their land, has been an outspoken critic of the Nigerian
  military government and Shell. Frequent oil spills and gas flares have
  threatened the Ogoni people's health and their means of subsistence
  farming and fishing. MOSOP, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth,
  GreenPeace and other international environmental groups concerned about
  the overall environmental impact are asking Shell to end these practices
  and participate as a conscientious corporate citizen that contributes to
  the positive long term health and economic future of all Nigerians.
  
  	The American Friends Service Committee joins with other
  international organizations in urging Shell to make four primary
  concessions: 1) adopt the same environmental standards under which it
  operates in Europe and the United States; 2) pursue ethical and safe
  business practices that respect the human and economic rights of the
  Nigerian people; 3) pay compensation for the environmental devastation its
  oil production has caused, and 4) establish environmental clean-up
  policies that make amends for long term abuses.
  
  	Nigeria has come to an important crossroads. It is faced with the
  challenge of forging national unity and building solid socio-economic
  policies that will lay a foundation for sustainable development into the
  next century. We urge the military government in Nigeria to consider the
  short and long term implications of delaying free and fair election for
  transition to a civilian government.
  
  
  
  Approved by the AFSC Board, June 22, 1997
  
  The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization which
  includes people of various faiths who are comitted to social justice,
  peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Quaker belief
  in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome
  violence and injustice.
  
  For more information about AFSC's work on Nigeria, contact Jerry Herman,
  Africa Program, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA  19102; (215)
  241-7169; or Mira Tanna, AFSC, 438 North Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, MO
  63130; (314) 862-5773.