nigeria: africa commission ruling on ogoni violations

MOVEMENT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE OGONI PEOPLE (MOSOP)27 ODU STREET, OGBUNABALI, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATETEL/FAX: (+234)84-233 907, E-mail: [email protected]
International (+44) 20 7357 0304 [email protected]
Press Release Thursday June 20th, 2000
AFRICA COMMISSION MAKES DEVESTATING RULING ON OGONI VIOLATIONS
MOSOP has welcomed the decision of the African Human Rights Commission finding the Federal Republic of Nigeria in violation of Articles 2, 4, 14, 16, 18(1), 21 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights in relation to its treatment of the people of Ogoni.
The findings on violations of Articles 2, 4, 14, 16, 18(1), 21 and 24 (which protect the rights to life, enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, health, development, housing, and a generally satisfactory environment) is based on a long-standing petition filed by the United States organisation CESR – Council for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESR) and the Lagos group SERAC over the actions of the Federal government in Ogoni.
"The findings from the Africa Commission, whose human rights charter has been incorporated centrally into Nigerian law, should come as a devastating blow to those who wish to bury the rights of the Ogoni people with the last military regime," said Ledum Mitee President of MOSOP in Port Harcourt today.
"The Commission has not only found a massive violation of the African Charter of Human Rights but explicitly stated Nigeria’s responsibility to prosecute those responsible for human rights violations and pay compensation to Ogoni’s many victims."
"The Commission has also recognised our call for a comprehensive clean up of oil spills in Ogoni and the need for genuine independent assessments and protection of the environment in Ogoni."
The Commission finding that" is an indictment on the activities of Shell in Ogoni and other parts of the Niger Delta that the company should not only feel ashamed of but should take immediate responsibility for its remediation.
"International observers are already calling this ruling a vital precedent for the pursuit of economic social and cultural rights and the Commission has used some of the strongest language we have seen from any equivalent institution. We must thank the organisations SERAC and CESR for their persistent efforts to bring about this ruling."
"It is vital for the pursuit of human rights in Africa that the Federal government responds constructively and with urgency to this ruling. The ruling has also made plain that establishing the NDDC and the as yet unfulfilled Oputa Panel report are not in themselves adequate responses to deal with the extent of violations in Ogoni."
The pollution and environmental degradation to a level humanly unacceptable has made it living in the Ogoni land a nightmare.
"In response to this ruling MOSOP is seeking an urgent meeting with the Attorney-General to understand whether the Federal government is finally willing to respond to its obligations Ogoni. We are also calling on President Obasanjo to show leadership in respecting and giving his full support to the ruling of the Africa Commission."