Black Looks

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the extra-judicial execution of Ken Saro Wiwa, Amnesty International have published a report stating that "the people of the Niger Delta continue to "face death and devastation at the hands of the security forces.".

"It is an insult to the memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners that those responsible for killings, beatings and rape are still allowed to escape justice. Their campaign for economic and social rights remains as relevant as ever with 70 percent of Niger Delta inhabitants continuing to live in absolute poverty despite booming oil revenues," said Kolawole Olaniyan, Director of Amnesty International’s Africa programme.

The report highlights:

• Corporate complicity in human rights abuses and failings by oil companies (particularly Shell and Chevron)  to report human rights violations by security personnel; failure to provide medical help where force is used by security personnel; failure to provide adequate training to security personnel;

• Long term deprivation in Niger Delta communities
• Failure of the government to respect, protect and fulfill all human rights.
• Continued failure of the government to address human rights abuses 10 years after the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa
• Excessive use of force by oil companies against protesters.
• Niger Delta communities have poor access to justice due to high costs of litigation.
• Increasing militarisation of the region as "young men are hired to guard" illegal bunkering cartels.
• Continued harassment by the government and oil companies of local human rights activists.

Tags: Niger Delta  Nigeria