[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H12313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         EXECUTIONS IN NIGERIA

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, on November 10, Nigeria's military junta, 
under the leadership of Gen. Sani Abacha, hanged eight human rights 
activists, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, president of the Movement for the 
Survival of the Ogoni people, and seven other human rights activists.
  Mr. Speaker, this was an insult to humanity, and this behavior was 
outside the circle of civilized human behavior. ``Nigeria is one of 
Africa's most richly endowed countries,'' the New York Times wrote in a 
recent article, ``but a succession of military dictators has looted it 
and left its people impoverished. Since he seized power in 1993, 
General Abacha's tolerance for corruption and international drug 
dealing and his gross abuse of human rights have made matters 
considerably worse.
  ``Mr. Saro-Wiwa was targeted because he had been an effective leader 
of the Ogoni people who inhabit Nigeria's main oil-producing region. He 
mobilized campaigns to win compensation for environmental damage caused 
by the oil industry and pressed for a modest share of oil revenues to 
be diverted from the pockets of the military toward the needs of the 
Ogoni people.'' The editorial goes on to say, ``This popular movement 
has brought military repression to Ogoniland.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Saro-Wiwa was executed, and he did nothing wrong. He 
did nothing wrong except speak out for the Ogoni people, for 
environmental protection, and for the end of the degradation of the 
environment of those people.
  I think this Congress should call on Shell Oil Co. to use its 
leverage to encourage democracy and freedom of expression in Nigeria. I 
am pleased to say that the International Finance Corporation of the 
World Bank has decided not to make a $100 million loan to Nigeria. I 
hope that this Congress, this House of Representatives, will speak out 
forcefully against the Nigerian Government and its repression of the 
Nigerian people, and that we should remember Mr. Saro-Wiwa for the hero 
that he is.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the full article which appeared 
in the New York Times.
  The article referred to is as follows:

                [From the New York Times, Nov. 9, 1995]

                       A Death Sentence in Nigeria

       Gen. Sani Abacha's military dictatorship is moving quickly 
     to execute Ken Saro-Wiwa, one of Nigeria's leading 
     environmentalists and minority-rights leaders, after 
     convicting him on trumped-up charges in a military court. 
     Yesterday Nigeria's ruling council confirmed Mr. Saro-Wiwa's 
     sentence.
       Only outside intervention, especially by the United States 
     and the international oil companies whose business keeps the 
     Abacha regime afloat, can now save his life. President 
     Clinton should speak out on Mr. Saro-Wiwa's behalf without 
     delay.
       Nigeria is one of Africa's most richly endowed countries, 
     but a succession of military dictators have looted it and 
     left its people impoverished. Since he seized power in 1993, 
     General Abacha's tolerance for corruption and international 
     drug dealing and his gross abuses of human rights have made 
     matters considerably worse.
       Mr. Saro-Wiwa was targeted because he has been an effective 
     leader of the Ogoni people who inhabit Nigeria's main oil-
     producing region. He mobilized campaigns to win compensation 
     for environmental damage caused by the oil industry and 
     pressed for a modest share of oil revenues to be diverted 
     from the pockets of the military toward the needs of the 
     Ogoni people.
       This popular movement has brought military repression to 
     Ogoniland. The alleged crime for which Mr. Saro-Wiwa and 
     other Ogoni leaders have been sentenced to death, the killing 
     of four moderate Ogoni chiefs, occurred during clashes 
     between moderates and a militant young faction.
       Mr. Saro-Wiwa was not even in the vicinity when these 
     clashes occurred. The United States State Department has 
     protested the lack of due process, and the British Foreign 
     Office has strongly deplored both the trial and the death 
     sentences. But more is needed, and fast.
       International businesses should normally try to stay clear 
     of domestic politics. But the direct connection of this case 
     to the oil industry, the reliance of the Abacha regime on oil 
     revenues and the looming threat of international sanctions 
     make this an exception. Oil companies, especially Shell, 
     historically the main producer in Ogoniland, as well as two 
     American-based companies, Chevron and Mobil, should use their 
     influence with Nigeria's Government in Mr. Saro-Wiwa's 
     behalf.
       TransAfrica, the African-American lobbying group that led 
     the economic boycott campaign against apartheid in South 
     Africa, has been urging an oil embargo against the Nigerian 
     dictatorship. That is a drastic step, but it begins to look 
     like the only way to slow General Abacha's ruinous course. By 
     executing Mr. Saro-Wiwa, the general would powerfully 
     strengthen TransAfrica's case. Justice demands not only the 
     commutation of Mr. Saro-Wiwa's sentence but his immediate 
     release.

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