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Resolution on Nigeria's Military Government by the NAACP Passed by Convention July 1997, Confirmed by National Board, October 1997 WHEREAS, West Africa is the historic homeland of most African Americans, and WHEREAS, the West African Nation of Nigeria since the present military government came into power in 1993, has exhibited blatant disregard for human rights, and WHEREAS, Amnesty International has documented the deterioration in human rights situations in many cases, (AFR index 44/14/96): such as arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists, unfair trials before special tribunals, many of which have been followed by the execution of those found guilty; the torture and ill treatment of detainees; and the extrajudicial execution of unarmed civilians by soldiers, and WHEREAS, Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey has recently introduced H.R. 1786 and this legislation would impose sanctions against Nigeria, and WHEREAS, the unchecked deterioration of human rights in Nigeria, west Africa destabilizes the wider west African region, promotes non-democratic tyranny and inhibits the growth of international standards of humanity, and WHEREAS, such inhumane actions in west Africa constitute a hardship and burden for African Americans in particular and all people concerned with civil rights and justice in general, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP supports Amnesty International 6 November 1996 Ten Point Program for Human Rights Reform in Nigeria as well as recommendations for actions by the International Community as contained in AI index AFR. 44/14/96; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP National Office write and recommend to the Nigerian military government the immediate release of the Ogoni 19; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon passage of this resolution, that the NAACP write the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States, as well as General Sani Abacha, Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council, State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, informing them of the above actions; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National NAACP inform all units of the passage of this resolution and recommend that local initiatives be exercised in pursuit of this action. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
