Sir, - November 10th marked the first anniversary of Ken SaroWiwa's execution. He was hanged, along with his eight compatriots, in secret by the Nigerian Government. It was alleged that they were involved in the murder of four Ogoni men who took part in a political rally in May, 1994.
In reality, their only crime was their love of their homeland and concern for its inhabitants. In Saro Wiwa's words from the dock, "I have devoted my intellectual and material resources, my very life to a cause in which I have total belief and from which I cannot be blackmailed or intimidated."
Ogoni, this once fertile region of Nigeria, has been destroyed by oil spillages. Many of the Ogoni people suffer from health problems as a result. Saro Wiwa set up the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni people (MOSOP), which wanted the indigenous people to control their own environment, exploited by foreign oil companies for 35 years. It's aims were to be achieved through nonviolent means.
Saro Wiwa and his eight colleagues were tried by a special military tribunal, which was established to try political opponents. It was alleged that virtually all taking part in this "farce" were bribed. Defence lawyers withdrew from the case, claiming that the defendants would not get a fair hearing. When Saro Wiwa's 70 year old mother attempted to attend her son's trial, she was brutally horsewhipped.
Political prisoners in Nigeria have no safeguard against torture. ,Amnesty International has documented continuing violations of human rights, which include execution of unarmed civilians by the military government. Opposing politicians, journalists and human rights activists are currently in detention, as well as "the Ogoni 19". Saro Wiwa's plea to the world at large fell on deaf ears; these 19 Ogoni who supported Ken Saro Wiwa all face a similar fate.
They have recently smuggled a plea to the international communities to act immediately. Each day, they suffer torture and beatings. They have never been tried in a court of law. Their fate is in our hands. Our EU Foreign Minister, Dick Spring, should utilise his political sway during Ireland's presidency. An independent inquiry should be set up into ongoing abuses. Those who wish to show their solidarity can write to the Nigerian Ambassador or Dick Spring. Do we want the list of martyrs to be never ending? - Yours, etc.,
Western Road,
Cork.