A/RES/51/109
Page 3
Concerned that, despite a number of legislative and procedural measures
taken to reform the system of administration of justice, persons in detention
in Nigeria continue to face a flawed judicial process, and recalling in this
regard the arbitrary execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his associates,
1.
Expresses its deep concern about violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in Nigeria, and calls upon the Government of Nigeria
urgently to ensure their observance, including by releasing all political
prisoners, trade union leaders, human rights advocates and journalists who are
at present detained, guaranteeing freedom of the press and ensuring respect
for the rights of all individuals, including persons belonging to minorities;
2.
Calls upon the Government of Nigeria to ensure that trials are
held strictly in conformity with the international human rights instruments to
which Nigeria is a party;
3.
Also calls upon the Government of Nigeria to abide by its freely
undertaken obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and other human rights instruments, including the African Charter of
Human and Peoples' Rights, and notes with interest in this regard the
recommendations of the Human Rights Committee to the Government of Nigeria;7
4.
Further calls upon the Government of Nigeria to implement fully
its interim undertakings to the Secretary-General without further delay and to
respond in full to the recommendations of the Secretary-General's mission to
Nigeria;
5.
Regrets that the Government of Nigeria has not enabled the Special
Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the independence of judges and
lawyers and the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions to visit the country before
presentation of their report to the General Assembly, and urges the Government
of Nigeria to cooperate fully with them during the joint investigative mission
to Nigeria mandated by the Commission on Human Rights and with the relevant
mechanisms of the Commission;
6.
Notes the declared commitment of the Government of Nigeria to
civilian rule, and urges it to take further concrete steps to restore
democratic government;
7.
Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to pursue his good
offices, and requests the Secretary-General in the discharge of his good
offices mandate and in cooperation with the Commonwealth to continue to
undertake further discussion with the Government of Nigeria and to report on
progress in the implementation of the present resolution and on the
possibilities for the international community to offer practical assistance to
Nigeria to achieve the restoration of democratic rule and the full enjoyment
of human rights in Nigeria;
8.
Decides to consider this question at its fifty-second session
under the item entitled "Human rights questions".
82nd plenary meeting
12 December 1996