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BACKGROUND MATERIAL ON OGONI JUNE 1994 Prepared by the Office of the General Secretary Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation The Hague DEVELOPMENTS IN OGONI, NIGERIA. January 1993 - April 1994 JANUARY 4: 300,000 Ogoni protest against Shell Oil activities and the environmental destruction of Ogoni land. It is the Ogoni's first mass demonstration. FEBRUARY 15-16: Shell International advisors meet with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in London (later in The Hague, February 18) to consider strategies for countering the "possibility that internationally organised protest could develop" over Shell's activities in Ogoni. APRIL 18: Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa, MOSOP spokesperson, held by the state security service at Port Harcourt International Airport for 16 hours without charges, released, but arrested again 5 days later. APRIL 30: Construction work on Shell's Rumuekpe-Bomu Pipeline destroys freshly planted Ogoni farmland sparking what begins as a peaceful demonstration of approximately 10,000 Ogoni. Soldiers from the Second Amphibious Brigade then open fire on demonstrators, wounding at least 10 and leaving Mrs Karalolo Korgbara, mother of five in critical condition. MAY 1: Mass demonstrations along Bori Road against the pipeline construction continue. Shell decides to withdraw the American workers, supplied by Willbros. Equipment is removed from Bomu area the next day. MAY 3: Mr. Agbarator Otu dies after being shot in the back by 'members of the Nigerian military' (MOSOP statement) while protesting work on the pipeline at Nonwa. MAY 16: Mr Saro-Wiwa has his passport seized while trying to leave for London. MAY 19: Amnesty International issues an Urgent Action concerning the extra judicial killing of Mr Otu and the Nigerian Government's use of force against peaceful Ogoni protests. MAY 24: Mr Saro-Wiwa begins a European tour and succeeds in drawing attention to the struggle of the Ogoni people. Shell responds to the international attention and is "happy to discuss these matters further..." (letter to UNPO, May 28) JUNE 12: Presidential elections are boycotted by the Ogoni. A ruptured pipeline begins to spray oil in Bunu Tai, Ogoni land. 40 days later, the flow is yet to be stopped. Mr Saro-Wiwa is prevented from traveling to the UN conference in Vienna by Nigerian security service, his passport seized. JUNE 21: Mr Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP officials are arrested. JUNE 22: Ogoni people march in Bori, in protest against MOSOP arrests. In reaction, Second Amphibious Brigade soldiers are moved from Port Harcourt and stationed in Bori. Indiscriminate beatings and arrests of Ogoni people by "heavy armed and unfriendly Nigerian soldiers and police" (MOSOP release June 24) are frequent. JUNE 30: Amnesty International issues a Fast Action, concerning Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa. JULY 9: At least 60 Ogoni people killed by Andoni when arriving back from Cameroon Republic by boat. This 'incident' marks the beginning of Ogoni-Andoni violence. MID JULY: Mr Saro-Wiwa is moved to a hospital and later released on bail, but the charges still stand. AUGUST 5: Kaa is the first village attacked in the Andoni- Ogoni conflict, resulting in 35 deaths and 8,000 refugees. Over the coming months, similar incidents occur in over 20 other villages. MOSOP accuses Shell of being behind the Andoni-Ogoni violence. AUGUST 31: MOSOP leaders summoned to Abuja for meeting with Interim Government, installed by president Babangida after the annulment of the election results. First time that the Nigerian government officially discusses the situation in Ogoni land with MOSOP. BEGINNING SEPTEMBER: Mr Saro-Wiwa, Senator Birabi and representatives of Rivers State Security Council visit the destroyed village Kaa and urge Governor Ada George to take measures to curb the Andoni-Ogoni violence. Meetings are arranged between Andoni and Ogoni leaders and government representatives. This leads to the creation of a Peace Committee, headed by Prof. Claude Ake. SEPTEMBER 15: General Abacha promises Mr Saro-Wiwa that federal troops will be sent to Ogoni land to help curb the Andoni-Ogoni violence. OCTOBER 6: Peace Agreement signed concerning the Ogoni- Andoni troubles, but without the signature of Mr. Saro-Wiwa, or "consultation of the communities involved" (See letter Prof. Ake). OCTOBER 17: Oil spill at Korokoro oil fields in Ogoni, operated by Shell. Mr Baritonle Kpormon (30) shot dead at a checkpoint in Bori by a federal soldier who has been sent to ensure peace at Ogoni-Andoni border. Bori however is not at the border. MOSOP Steering Committee meeting accepts the Peace Agreement but for two paragraphs, and calls for a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be installed by the federal government. OCTOBER 19: Prof. Ake, chairman of the Peace Conference, sends a letter to Governor Ada George, stating that he does not agree with the Peace Agreement. According to him, it was drafted in haste and without proper consultation of the communities involved. OCTOBER 23: Two fire trucks from SPDC are seized at Korokoro by inhabitants of Korokoro. OCTOBER 25: 3 Ogoni men shot at Korokoro oil fields by soldiers of the 2nd Amphibious Brigade accompanying Shell workers who went back to retrieve the fire trucks. Uebari Nna (18) dies, Pal Sunday (14) and Mboo Ndike (70) are wounded. NOVEMBER 17: The interim government resigns. General Sani Abacha becomes the new Nigerian leader. DECEMBER 13: Governor Ada George is replaced by Lt. Col. Dauda Komo. Violent clashes between Ogoni and Okirika over crowded land at water fronts, Port Harcourt. Over 90 people reported dead, many more wounded. DECEMBER 28: Probably to prevent the start of the Ogoni Week, MOSOP leaders Dr Owens Wiwa and Mr Ledum Mitee, lawyer, are arrested without being charged. The Ogoni Assembly is dispersed by Nigerian soldiers. Lt. Col. Komo states the Ogoni Week was aborted because MOSOP didn't apply for a permit "as is expected of any community, to hold such activity". JANUARY 2: Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa is placed under house arrest. JANUARY 4: Dr Owen Wiwa and Mr Ledum Mitee are released, Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa's house arrest is lifted. JANUARY 11: 7 member Commission of Inquiry installed by River State government to investigate Ogoni-Okirika clashes, starts public sittings in Port Harcourt. JANUARY 20: A 3 member ministerial team starts a 2 day tour of Rivers State to investigate the hostilities between communities there, as part of general inquiry of community clashes. The government is especially worried about troubles in oil producing areas. JANUARY 21: 500 million dollar contract signed in Port Harcourt between Shell Nigeria and ABB Global Engineering of UK, allowing the latter to collect gas from 10 flow stations in Rivers State. JANUARY 24: The 3 major oil companies in Port Harcourt estimate to have lost over 200 million dollars during 1993, due to "unfavourable conditions in their areas of operation", and call for urgent measures to combat the situation. BEGINNING APRIL: A small conflict between Ogoni and Okoloma leads to serious clashes; Col. Komo is reported to have said that soldiers have been directed to deal with aggressive communities, and if necessary shoot trouble makers 15 Ogoni people are arrested without being charged, among them Dr. Owen Wiwa. SOURCES: Various, including MOSOP letters and press releases, Shell documents and various press articles. Unrepresented Nations and Peoples (UNPO), The Hague. April 1994 ************************* ************************* UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION Press Release For Immediate Release April 17, 1994 OGONI SITUATION DETERIORATES - GOVERNOR ISSUES ORDER TO SHOOT FOREIGN JOURNALIST INVESTIGATING OGONI SITUATION DEPORTED The situation in Ogoniland, Nigeria has deteriorated even further in the last week with the Rivers State Administrator, Colonel Dauda Komo admitting that "soldiers have been directed to deal with aggressive communities and if necessary shoot trouble makers". The remarks, reported in Nigeria's National Concord, came after a week and a half of violence that has left over 30 Ogoni dead and several villages destroyed. Some 20 people were killed on Easter Sunday, April 3, when a minor dispute with the neighbouring Ndoki community led to the intervention of the Nigerian military. According to the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) it was the military's intervention that resulted in the indiscriminate killings of Ogoni and burning of Ogoni villages. Among the confirmed dead are Miss Bekpege, Mr Kagbe Feghe, Mr A. Nedam, Mr Isaac Kpakol, Mr Piann Tan and Master Borgbara. In a connected incident 10 men, women and children were also killed in the town of Oyigbo, just outside Ogoniland, according to MOSOP reports. Lt. Colonel Komo's statement coincided with the release on bail of MOSOP leaders held since Wednesday, April 6 without charge. Their release came after personal pleas from a high- level MOSOP delegation that included the MOSOP President Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa to the Rivers State Administrator, Colonel Komo on Sunday, April 10. Dr Owens Wiwa and Mr Noble Obani- Nwibari, the arrested MOSOP leaders, were investigating the cause of the Easter Sunday violence when they were picked-up by the Nigerian military. Ten other Ogoni people are still being held without charge at Port Harcourt Central Police Station. Nigerian State Security Services are also restricting the movement of foreign nationals in the region. According to an internal memo obtained by UNPO the Services are on the alert for foreigners attempting to investigate the situation in Ogoniland. In the first related arrest, Geraldine Brooks, correspondent for the Wall Street Journal found herself detained by Nigerian security forces on Saturday, April 9 while investigating the Ogoni situation. She was subsequently deported from Nigeria. Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa is currently in The Hague, Holland where he is participating in a meeting of the UNPO's Steering Committee and an international conference on conflict prevention where he will be a guest speaker on Monday, April 18. Ogoni is a Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO). UNPO is an organization of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international fora, such as the United Nations. For more information and interviews please contact Richard Boele, Media and Information Centre, at UNPO, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-70-3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: unponl@antenna.nl. For latest press releases you can also check the UNPO email, APC conference . [UNPO] MIC/1994/PR.7 ************************* ************************* UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION Press Release For Immediate Release April 29, 1994 NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TO USE ARMED FORCE AGAINST OGONI The Nigerian government has decided to use armed force to resolve the ongoing problems in Ogoniland, according to an internal memo from the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, obtained by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). The memo details plans for the extensive mobilization of the police and armed forces and occupation of Ogoniland, a move which is sure to worsen tensions in the already troubled oil-producing region of south-eastern Nigeria. The memo, titled "Operation Order No. 4/94 - Restoration of Law and Order in Ogoni Land" and dated April 21, 1994 describes an operation that will involve "the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air force, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Police - PMF and conventional units" to "restore and maintain law and order in Ogoni-land" and "to apprehend intruders who may wish to use the period to ferment further disturbances." The order sets no date for the commencement of the operation. The size of the planned armed intervention is particularly worrying considering Ogoniland already has Nigerian soldiers stationed there. Details of the plan have surfaced as the Rivers State government announced a new law enacting the death sentence for those found guilty, by a special tribunal, of involvement in communal clashes. Ogoni leaders fear that the Special Tribunal (Offenses Relating to Civil Disturbances) Edict 1994 will be used as a cover to arrest and detain Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) leaders. Nigerian observers have drawn attention to a section of the memo that states "the purpose of this operation order is to ensure that ordinary law abiding citizens of the area, non- indignenes resident of carrying out business ventures or schooling within Ogoniland are not molested". This section is being interpreted as a possible first step towards foreign companies being able to recommence operations in Ogoniland. UNPO has issued an appeal to governments and other international organizations to call on the Nigerian government not to use force to resolve the Ogoni issue and explore peaceful methods. Ogoniland experienced violence most recently when about 20 people were killed on Easter Sunday, April 3, after a minor dispute with the neighbouring Ndoki community led to the intervention of the Nigerian military. According to the MOSOP it was the military's intervention that resulted in the indiscriminate killings of Ogoni and burning of Ogoni villages. Ogoni is a Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO). UNPO is an organization of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international fora, such as the United Nations. Copies of the internal police memo are available on request. For more information and interviews please contact Richard Boele, Media and Information Centre, at UNPO, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-70-3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: unponl@antenna.nl. For latest press releases you can also check the UNPO Email, APC conference . [UNPO] MIC/1994/PR.8 ************************* ************************* UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION Press Release For immediate release May 24, 1994 OGONI LEADER DETAINED Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa, President of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and spokesman for the Ogoni people in Nigeria, was seized from his home by armed forces at 1:00am on May 22nd. Dr Owens-Wiwa, Mr Saro-Wiwa's brother, believes soldiers from the Nigerian government forces, gained entry after attacking a night watchman and scaling the wall. However, Lt Col D Komo, Military Governor of Rivers State, said in a telephone interview, that he has no idea where Mr Saro-Wiwa is, and that he had eluded police. While contradictory reports are reaching UNPO as to just who is responsible for the sinister disappearance of the MOSOP President, it is clear from the Nigerian press that 4 other Ogoni leaders have been killed. When the abduction took place, Mr Saro-Wiwa was in the process of campaigning to explain MOSOP's decision to take part in the Constitutional Conference organised by the Nigerian Government. MOSOP leads the Ogoni people in a non- violent struggle for environmental and political rights and believes that dialogue is the only way to resolve the ongoing problems in this oil rich area. Over the weekend, Mr Saro-Wiwa had attempted to take part in a series of peaceful rallies at various villages, but was turned back by security forces and ordered to leave Ogoniland. After repeated attempts to contact the Military Administrator to ascertain the situation, he returned to his Port Harcourt home to await further developments. Dr Owens-Wiwa last spoke to his brother at 3 pm, on May 21st. He was then awoken at 2:00 am and told by his brother's driver of the kidnapping. Dr Owens-Wiwa later visited detention centres but drew a complete blank. He is appalled by the events: "We have been harassed, intimidated and killed since we started our non-violent struggle against eco-terrorism and political marginalisation." No-one has confirmed where Mr Saro-Wiwa is being held or when he will be released. Fears for his safety are growing and the UNPO General Secretary appealed to the EU Commissioner, Hans van den Broek, and several governments to intervene with the Nigerian authorities to secure his release. He has been detained several times in the past by the government. Recently Ogoniland has been the scene of increasing tension, as plans for an extensive mobilisation of armed forces allegedly to be used for " restoring and maintaining law and order in Ogoni Land" contained in a memo from the Rivers State Commission, were revealed by UNPO on April 29, 1994. Ogoni is a Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO). UNPO is an organization of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international fora, such as the United Nations. For more information and interviews please contact Richard Boele, Media and Information Centre, at UNPO, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-70-3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: unponl@antenna.nl. For latest press releases you can also check the UNPO Email, APC conference . [UNPO] MIC/1994/PR.10 ************************* ************************* UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION Press Release For immediate release May 25, 1994 ARRESTED OGONI LEADER REJECTS NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ACCUSATIONS In a smuggled statement from Ogoni leader Ken Saro-Wiwa, currently being held without charges in Bori Military Camp, Port Harcourt he rejects Rivers State Administrator Colonel Komo's charges of threatening other Ogoni leaders or of any involvement in Saturday's killing of four Ogoni leaders. The statement appeared in today's edition of the Nigerian Guardian in the form of a letter to Colonel Komo. The statement appeared in today's edition of the Nigerian Guardian in the form of a letter to Colonel Komo. Upon hearing of the Ogoni leaders' deaths Mr Saro-Wiwa responded "I have stood against violence, all those responsible for this should be brought to book." Despite attempts to contact Colonel Komo on Saturday Ken Saro-Wiwa was arrested on Sunday May 22 at 1.00am and taken to Bori Military Camp, Port Harcourt, a Federal Army installation. The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) President was subsequently beaten and the latest reports from Nigeria say he is still in hand and leg cuffs. Since Monday he has been taken to Government House for questioning and returned to detention. Mr Saro-Wiwa has been denied medical attention. An application to the Nigerian High Court has been made for Ogoni leader's release Ledum Mitee, MOSOP Deputy President and Ogoni lawyer being held with Ken Saro-Wiwa, has detailed the events around Saturday's disturbances in Ogoniland. The smuggled statement clearly raises questions about the conduct of armed forces in increasing tensions immediately before killing of the Ogoni. The officers explicitly named in the report are the officer-in-charge of the troops at Bori, Stephen Hassan of the Mobile Police Force and another commanding officer, Naval sub-lieutenant Nwatu. The report clearly details how Nigerian security forces prevented Mr Saro-Wiwa from campaigning in the government approved elections for the Constitutional Assembly. The Ogoni deaths and dramatic escalation of tensions in the region has coincided with the implementation of an extensive mobilisation of armed forces for "restoring and maintaining law and order in Ogoni Land" as laid out in Operation Order No. 4/94 from the Rivers State Commissioner of Police released by UNPO on April 29, 1994. In a related incident soldiers raided the offices of the local newspaper SUNRAY on Saturday May 21. About 50 officers including members of the air force, navy, army and police force surrounded the office and took away the editor Mr Charles Tambou for questioning. He was questioned about the visit of Mr Saro-Wiwa to the office. More SUNRAY staff were later arrested only to be released on Sunday morning after Mr Saro-Wiwa's arrest. Also being held with Ken Saro-Wiwa is Commissioner Dr Barinen Kiobeh and at least eight other Ogoni people. UNPO has obtained a list of their names. UNPO's General Secretary, Dr van Walt has appealed today "There should be an immediate judicial enquiry into the deaths and the circumstances around them. The Nigerian government should also reduce tensions in the region by releasing Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni leaders. I also appeal to the Ogoni people to stay calm." Ogoni is a Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO). UNPO is an organization of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international forums, such as the United Nations. For more information and interviews please contact Richard Boele, Media and Information Centre, at UNPO, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-70-3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: unponl@antenna.nl. For latest press releases you can also check the UNPO Email, APC conference . [UNPO] MIC/1994/PR.11 ************************* ************************* UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION Press Release For immediate release May 31, 1994 MASS ARRESTS OF OGONI AS NIGERIAN TROOPS RANSACK VILLAGES The Nigerian authorities have arrested hundreds of Ogoni in the last week causing thousands to flee their villages. Military checkpoints have been established throughout Ogoniland where those passing are forced to undress. People bearing Ogoni tribal scars on their chests are being automatically arrested Confirmed information puts the number of Ogoni men already arrested in the hundreds. Most are being held in the Bori Military Camp, Port Harcourt. There are also unconfirmed reports of Ogoni being killed With the increased harassment of Ogoni people thousands of Ogoni have left their villages, particularly in Gokana, where last Saturday's killing of four Ogoni leaders occurred. Widespread looting by Nigerian soldiers, both State and Federal, of the deserted villages has been reported by eyewitnesses. The town Gioko in Gokana has been described as a "ghost town". Other affected villages include Nwe-ol, Bera Barako, Deeyor, Nwebiara, Biara, Mogho, K. Dere, B. Dere and Lewe. Ken Saro-Wiwa, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) President, is still being held without charges in Bori Military Camp, Port Harcourt. He is still in leg cuffs which has resulted in the severe swelling of one of his legs. He is also in need of medical attention for a long- standing heart problem. On Friday Mr Saro-Wiwa's lawyer, Mr Gani Fawehinmi, was refused access. He is attempting to see the Ogoni leader again today. Still being held with Ken Saro-Wiwa is Ledum Mitee, MOSOP Deputy President and Ogoni lawyer and Commissioner Dr Barinen Kiobeh. Unconfirmed reports have noted the unusual arrest of Chief Kalikpo, from Bane village - a traditional Ogoni ruler not generally recognized as an active MOSOP member. The mass arrests in Ogoni have come after the implementation of an extensive mobilisation of armed forces for "restoring and maintaining law and order in Ogoni Land" as laid out in Operation Order No. 4/94 from the Rivers State Commissioner of Police released by UNPO on April 29, 1994. Tensions were further heightened when these troops prevented Mr Saro-Wiwa from campaigning for the Constitutional Assembly elections on Saturday, May 21. Tensions peaked when four Ogoni leaders were killed by as yet unidentified people, on Saturday, June 21. The Ogoni have been engaged in a non-violent struggle against the environmental degradation and social neglect of their land and people caused by Shell and other multinational oil companies in cooperation with the Nigerian government. Ogoni is a Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO). UNPO is an organization of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international forums, such as the United Nations. For more information and interviews please contact Richard Boele, Media and Information Centre, at UNPO, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-70-3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: unponl@antenna.nl. For latest press releases you can also check the UNPO Email, APC conference . [UNPO] MIC/1994/PR.13 ************************* ************************* UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION Press Release For immediate release June 14, 1994 NIGERIAN MILITARY MASSACRE OGONI Nigerian soldiers have massacred over 40 Ogoni villagers in the last two weeks in the worst violence to hit the oil bearing delta region since tensions began early 1993. The soldiers have already attacked over 20 villages, indiscriminately shooting, looting, burning and raping in what appears to be a systematic campaign of terror according to reliable reports from Nigeria With the widespread confusion in Ogoniland it is feared the number of dead, which includes two pregnant women, could be much higher. Eyewitnesses have seen some bodies slit open and weighted with rocks before being thrown into the Imo River. Over a hundred Ogoni have already been wounded in the government's attacks. Many of the refugees also report the widespread raping of women and young girls by the Nigerian soldiers. The attacks appear to be deliberately planned, as that on the major Ogoni town Bon confirms. Three days before the attack on Monday June 6, 1994, the other ethnic tribes living there, including Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Ibibio and Ikwerre were warned of the impending attack and told to leave. The attack on Bon resulted in the killing of one person and the serious wounding of five others and looting. In a similar attack on Bera village at least 4 people were gunned down by looting soldiers. The attacks are also accompanied by demands, from soldiers, for large sums of money Several villages have paid this extortion money only to see their villages ransacked anyway. Trucks are arriving daily in Port Harcourt markets loaded with the looted possessions of Ogoni villages - the trucks have been loaded with even basic domestic items and livestock. Many of the looted Ogoni houses have subsequently been burned. As a result hundreds are already homeless with large numbers of refugees fleeing the region, many to Ibibio territory in Akwa Ibom State. A leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), who has recently returned to Nigeria and is currently in hiding said, "Ogoni hasn't experienced violence like this since the civil war, the place is under a terrible form of martial law, I didn't imagine the extent of the destruction. What makes this so terrible is the systematic destruction, the soldiers have been given an open order to do whatever they like." Most members of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) have gone into hiding as hundreds of Ogoni are still being held at Bori Military camp. There are persistent reports that those detained are being subjected to torture. This latest systematic oppression and bloodshed follows the May 21 killing of four prominent Ogoni by unidentified persons. The killings have been used by the government forces as an excuse for their heavy handed arrests of young Ogoni men. Today the Port Harcourt High Court is expected to hear a case on the detention of Ogoni leader Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa whose whereabouts are still unknown. Fears are also held for the Ogoni leader's health - he has been missing since being moved from Bori Military camp on the night of June 2, 1994. A world-wide week of action, the World Ogoni Week, has been called, beginning June 20, 1994 in which over 10 international human rights and environmental organizations are expected to participate. The Ogoni have been engaged in a non-violent struggle against the environmental degradation and social neglect of their land and people caused by Shell and other multinational oil companies in cooperation with the Nigerian government. Ogoni is a Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO). UNPO is an organization of nations and peoples not adequately represented in international forums, such as the United Nations. For more information and interviews please contact Richard Boele, Media and Information Centre, at UNPO, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-70-3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: unponl@antenna.nl. For latest press releases you can also check the UNPO Email, APC conference . [UNPO] MIC/1994/PR.14 ************************* ************************* AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT 1 Easton Street London WC1X 8DJ United Kingdom EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 44/07/94 Distr: UA/SC 27 June 1994 FURTHER INFORMATION ON UA 200/94 (AFR 44/03/94, 24 May 1994) - PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE / LEGAL CONCERN AND NEW CONCERN: HEALTH CONCERN NIGERIA: Ken Saro-Wiwa, writer President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) AND ALSO: Ledum Mitee lawyer. Deputy President of MOSOP. chairman of Rivers State branch of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Barinem Kiobel Commissioner (minister) of Commerce and Industry in the Rivers State administration Amnesty International is continuing to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other members of the Ogoni community who are prisoners of conscience. Ken Saro-Wiwa has now been held for more than a month and has been denied visits from a lawyer and his family Arrested on 22 May 1994 in Port Harcourt Rivers State. in southeast Nigeria he was initially held in Bori Military Camp. Port Harcourt but was removed in early June to another, unknown, place of detention. While held in Bon Military Camp he was reported to have been held in leg irons which resulted in swelling of one of his legs. He also suffers from a heart complaint for which he is not receiving medical attention. Although accused of being responsible for the murder of four leading members of the Ogoni community at a meeting held in Giokoo in Ogoniland Rivers State, on 21 May 1994 it is not clear whether he has been formally charged. The state authorities claimed that he had incited youths to murder the four men after he was prevented by the security forces from campaigning for the elections of delegates to a constitutional conference. Amnesty International believes that the accusations against him are unfounded that he has neither used nor advocated violence and that his most recent detention, as on several occasions in the past, is solely because of his campaign against environmental damage and inadequate compensation by oil companies operating in Ogoniland. Amnesty International is also calling for the release of Ledum Mitee, who was also arrested on 22 May, and all other prisoners of conscience. These are believed to include Barinem Kiobel, a recently appointed Commissioner (minister) in the Rivers State administration, and several other prominent members of the Ogoni community, arrested around the same time and held at Bori Military Camp; none are known to have been charged with any offense. BACKGROUND INFORMATION In the days and weeks following the murders on 21 May, the presence of security forces in Ogoniland has been intensified, ostensibly in order to search for those directly responsible for the killings. However, the security forces have indiscriminately arrested members of the Ogoni community; reports suggest that several hundred have been arrested and are detained either at Bori Military Camp or at Kpor in Ogoniland. Some are reported to have been released after the extortion of large amounts of money by soldiers. The security forces are reported to have attacked some 30 Ogoni villages; over 50 people are reported to be have deliberately and arbitrarily killed during these attacks and more than 180 have been injured (please refer to UA 249/94. AFR 44/06/94, 27 June 1994). Ken Saro-Wiwa has been repeatedly arrested and harassed by the security forces in the past because of his campaign on behalf of the Ogoni people, and specifically because of his influence both within the Ogoni community and internationally. Ledum Mitee has also been previously detained; he was held for a week without charge following his arrest on 28 December 1993. (44)(71) 413 5500 Telegrams Amnesty London WC1 Telex 28502 FAX 956 1157 Amnesty International is an independent worldwide movement working for the international protection of human rights. It seeks the release of men and women detained anywhere because of their beliefs, colour, sex ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not used or advocated violence. These are termed prisoners of conscience. It works for lair and prompt trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge or trial. It opposes the death penalty and torture or other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of all prisoners. ************************* ************************* AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT 1 Easton Street London WC1X 8DJ United Kingdom EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 44/06/94 Distr: UA/SC UA 249/94 EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS / FEAR FOR SAFETY 27 June 1994 NIGERIA: MEMBERS OF THE OGONI ETHNIC GROUP Since 21 May 1994 more than 50 members of the Ogoni ethnic group are reported to have been extrajudicially executed and over 180 others wounded during attacks by the security forces on Ogoni villages in Rivers State, southeast Nigeria. The attacks are believed to be continuing and there are fears that many more members of the Ogoni community may become victims of extrajudicial executions. Amnesty International is calling for urgent measures to halt the killings and to protect all members of the Ogoni community. The security forces are reported to have attacked some 30 villages, firings at random, destroying and looting property and setting fire to homes. According to reports, the village of Uegwere Bo-ue was attacked twice within four days. On 4 June four people were shot, two of whom died. During a second attack on 8 June, seven people were killed including a 10-year-old boy. Some of the victims are reported to have died after their homes were set ablaze by soldiers. In the village of Buan, a pregnant women, Leyira Piri, is reported to have been shot dead; six others were critically wounded. Other villages attacked are reported to include Yeghe on 1 June where two people were shot dead and Okwali on 12 June where five people killed and several others critically wounded. These latest extrajudicial executions have occurred since the presence of security forces in Ogoniland was intensified following the murder on 21 May 1994 of four leading members of the Ogoni community by a group of youths at a meeting in Giokoo. Ostensibly searching for those directly responsible for the murders, the security forces have indiscriminately arrested members of the Ogoni community; reports suggest that several hundred are being held either at Bori Military Camp in Port Harcourt or at Kpor in Ogoniland. Some are reported to have been released after the extortion of large amounts of money by soldiers. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Ogoni community has been campaigning against environmental damage and inadequate compensation for destruction of land and crops by oil companies operating in Ogoniland. In April 1993 security forces were reported to have opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Biara; 11 people were injured. Shortly afterwards, further shootings at Nonwa resulted in one death. Since 1993 the security forces are alleged to have been responsible for a number of extrajudicial executions after being brought into Ogoniland to maintain order. Although hundreds of Ogoni were reportedly killed in intercommunal fighting there is evidence implicating the security forces. An official inquiry into some of these killings has not made its findings public (see UA 176/94 AFR 44/02/94, 4 May 1994). The President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ken Saro-Wiwa, was arrested on 22 May 1994 in connection with the incident which resulted in the latest attacks by the security forces on the Ogoni people. Although accused of inciting youths to murder the four Ogoni leaders on 21 May 1994, it is not clear whether he has been formally charged. Amnesty International believes that the accusations against him are unfounded, that he has neither used nor advocated violence and that his most recent detention, as on several occasions in the past, is solely because of his campaign on behalf of the Ogoni people (see UA 200/94, AFR 44/03/94, 24 May 1994, and AFR 44/07/94, 27 June 1994). (44)(71) 413 5500 Telegrams Amnesty London WC1 Telex 28502 FAX 956 1157 Amnesty International is an independent worldwide movement working for the international protection of human rights. It seeks the release of men and women detained anywhere because of their beliefs, colour, sex ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not used or advocated violence. These are termed prisoners of conscience. It works for lair and prompt trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge or trial. It opposes the death penalty and torture or other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of all prisoners. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To have a current Center For World Indigenous Studies Publication Catalogue sent to you via e-mail, send a request to jburrows@halcyon.com http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/cwiscat.html Center For World Indigenous Studies P.O. Box 2574 Olympia, WA U.S.A. 98507-2574 FAX: 360-956-1087 OCR Provided by Caere Corporation's OmniPage Professional