E-mail Discussion Lists Using Advocacy to Achieve Democratic Reform

DemocracyAlerts

From time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical.

To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html.

(March 4, 2007)
Alert: Human Rights Defender in Nigeria Attacked

On March 4, 2007, Anyakwee Nsirimovu, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), based in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, was attacked by a group of unknown assailants. Fortunately, he successfully escaped from the attack without harm. He and his family received a death threat one week before the attack. It is believed by Amnesty International that Mr. Nsirimovu has been targeted for the recently published IHRHL report analyzing Nigeria’s Rivers State’s budget and expenditures, and questioning the state government's allocation of funds. Mr. Nsirimovu is a participant in the World Movement of Democracy and an active member of its regional network, the African Democracy Forum (ADF).

For more information about the attack, please go to Amnesty International's statement.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:

• expressing concern for the safety of Anyakwee Nsirimovu, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL);
• urging the authorities to take immediate and effective action to protect Anyakwee Nsirimovu in accordance with his wishes;
• calling upon the authorities to order a thorough and independent investigation into the threatening phone messages and the attack on his car, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice;
• reminding the authorities that human rights defenders have the right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups, and Institutions to Promote Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Peter Odili
Governor of Rivers State
Office of the Governor
Government House
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Email: gov@riversstatenigeria.net
Salutation: Your Excellency

Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN)
Minister of Justice
Federal Secretariat Complex 10th Floor
Shehu Shagari Way PMB 192
Abuja, Nigeria
Fax: +234 09 5235208
Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES TO:
The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
2B, Railway Close, Behind NITEL Garrison
P. O Box 2292
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Fax: + 234 084 231716
Email: ihrhl@ihrhl.org

and to diplomatic representatives of Nigeria accredited to your country.