(New York, July 2, 1998) - Human Rights Watch welcomes the announcement by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the Nigerian head of state has agreed to release all political prisoners.
"This is an important step in confidence-building," said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Africa division at Human Rights Watch, "but a great deal more remains to be done before Nigeria should be welcomed back to the international fold."
Takirambudde said the U.N. and other international bodies should monitor prisoner releases closely. "General Abdulsalam Abubakar should also announce an early date for the military to leave office," said Takirambudde, "and ensure that a genuinely elected government is installed in Nigeria at the earliest date."
Human Rights Watch has called for the international community to establish a set of clear benchmarks for Nigeria to respect before sanctions adopted by the European Union, United States, Commonwealth and others should be lifted. These include not only the release of political prisoners, but also the repeal of certain key repressive decrees, respect for freedom of the media, and, most importantly, the holding of genuinely free and fair elections. These benchmarks are even more important now that the Nigerian government is showing signs of sensitivity to international opinion.
Human Rights Watch also cautioned that the release of political prisoners should be carefully monitored to ensure that all known prisoners are indeed released. These would include not only Chief Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the 1993 elections, but also twenty Ogoni activists held in prison since 1994 in connection with the same charges as those for which Ken Saro-Wiwa and his codefendants were hanged; several journalists, including Moshood Fayewmiwo, Adetokunbo Fakeye, Rafiu Salau, Babafemi Ojudu, George Mbah, Ben Charles Obi, and Kunle Ajibade; and a Muslim leader Sheikh El Zak Zaky and others charged with sedition. Several tens of military officers convicted of involvement in alleged coup plots in 1995 and 1997 also remain in prison. In addition, there are large numbers of less well-known political prisoners, including household members or associates of the better known detainees, whose release must be ensured.
