Sir, - I wish to respond to Mr Sean Love's article (Irish Times, May 30th), whose perception of human rights and events in Ogoniland border on a propagandist theory is conceived to cause tension not only amongst Nigerians, but also to set the government and people of Ireland against Nigerian Government as well as Shell. Perhaps Mr Love should know that under Nigerian law, human rights activists or minority campaigners have no right to take the lives of others, as the late Ken Saro Wiwa and company did with four prominent Ogonis whose bodies were dismembered in ritualistic manner.
Nigeria, as a signatory to all relevant United Nations charters and conventions on civil, political, socio economic, religious and ethnic rights, has always been guided by Article 3 and 6 off the instruments which provide every individual to have the right to life and security of the person, that his right shall be protected by law, and that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his or her life".
In line with these constitutional human rights, entrenched in her statute book, Nigeria's policies and programmes are therefore based on the promotion and protection of her national interests. These include national security, welfare, and peace. Consequently, the Nigerian Government is continuing to provide basic necessities and other social amenities for the well being of her citizens, maintenance of law and order, as well as encouraging peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups in the country.
Certainly, no responsible government, as it is in Nigeria, will sit by and watch the various communities perpetrate crimes and take the law into their hands.
It is unfortunate that Amnesty International does not remember the recent, unprecedented commutal of death sentences passed on convicted coup plotters (some of whom Mr Sean Love referred to) by General Snail Abacha. This was an indication of the Government's responsiveness to constructive international opinion and commitment to uphold human rights. Referring to the cases of a few Nigerians out of about 90 million population shows the extent to which Amnesty International, represented by Mr Love, wants to heighten tension between Nigeria and her friends in Ireland.
Yet, following the UN's fact finding mission (Ireland wields considerable influence in the UN) to Nigeria in March and April, it submitted a report vindicating Nigeria's transition programme to civil rule, while recommending that no sanctions be imposed on the country.
Based on the UN recommendations, the Nigerian Government has indicated its willingness to review the Civil Disturbance Act under which the Ogonis were tried, as well as to review the cases of persons currently detained under Decree Two of 1984. This permits the detention, without trial, of persons suspected of engaging in acts prejudicial to state security, and an amendment of the decree to allow for a periodic review of each case.
Regarding Shell, perhaps Mr Love needs to know that since 1993, Shell has not operated in Ogoniland due to the activities of the NYCOP, a section of the MOSOP. But as Dr Owen Wiwa was protesting against Shell development projects in Ireland, the Gokana local government community was appealing to Shell to return to Ogoniland.
The Nigerian Government will continue to provide the necessary enabling environment for all foreign investments in Nigeria to do business and be protected. Mr Love should appreciate my government's efforts to protect and reconcile all the communities in Nigeria, without necessarily offending her friends in Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Charge d'Affaires,
Embassy of Nigeria,
56 Leeson Park,
Dublin 6.