The Human Rights Actions Network
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ACTION REQUEST
URGENT ACTION - THE OBSERVATORY NGA 001 / 9803 / 015 Arrest / Detention NIGERIA 16th March 1998 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of FIDH and OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Nigeria. Brief description of the events: The Observatory has been informed by the Inter Africa Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET) and the International Service for Human Rights, of the arrest, on the 3rd of March 1998, of Mr Olisa Agbakoba, ex President of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), President of AFRONET and President of a pro democracy group (United Action for Democracy - UAD). On the 3rd of March, Mr Agbakoba was attacked and then arrested by members of the Nigerian Police when he tried to speak at a pro democracy rally, organised by the UAD in Yaba Lagos. During the rally 36 other persons were arrested. Mr Agbakoba was detained for 24 hours. During his detention he was beaten up and suffered eye injuries. He was then brought before a magistrate who released him under caution. The arrest was later justified by the Police Commissioner on the grounds that the meeting had not been authorised. Mr Agbakoba launched an appeal in the High Federal Court challenging his arrest and requesting that he be awarded damages. The Court will pronounce judgement on the 20th March. The Observatory condemns the attacks on the physical integrity of Mr Agbakoba and considers that this arrest constitutes a restriction on the freedom of association, freedom of expression and of opinion all rights guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (which has been incorporated into Nigerian law), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as other international instruments of human rights protection ratified by Nigeria. Action requested: Please write to the Nigerian Authorities requesting that they: i.- put an end to all legal proceedings, including judicial orders against Mr Agbakoba and other persons harassed by reason of their involvement in favour of fundamental rights and fundamental freedoms. ii.- guarantee freedom of action to non governmental organisations who defend human rights, and their members in order that they can carry out their work to promote and defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. iii.- more generally respect human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country in conformity with international instruments ratified by Nigeria Addresses : General Sani Abacha, Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council, State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Fax : + 234 95 232138 Lieutenant-General D. Oladipo Diya, Vice-Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council and Chief of General Staff, State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Telegram : Lieutenant-General Diya, Abuja, Nigeria. Alhaji Aminu Saleh, Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Telegram : Alhaji Saleh, Abuja, Nigeria. Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie, Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Telegram : Alhaji Coomasie, Abuja, Nigeria. The Embassy of Nigeria in your respective countries. Geneva - Paris, 16 March 1998 Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken, quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.
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