Crackdown in Nigeria
Nigerian security launched a campaign of intimidation and harassment to block protests marking the second anniversary of the execution of Ogoni leader Ken Saro-Wiwa. Troops were deployed throughout Saro-Wiwa's home region, the Lagos-based Punch newspaper reported on November 9.
Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni leaders were hanged on November 10, 1995, after a military tribunal convicted them on trumped up charges of murdering pro-government politicians.
The nine were targeted because of their anti-government activities and their attempts to win compensation from the Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell, whose operations have damaged Ogoni crop lands and fishing waters.
Ken Wiwa, Saro-Wiwa's son, condemned the weak stance taken by the Commonwealth Heads of States Meeting held in Edinburgh at the end of October, which failed to expel Nigeria from the Commonwealth and did not impose new sanctions.
The meeting agreed to continue Nigeria's suspension and appointed an eight-member committee to recommend any new sanctions should the Nigerian regime fail to restore democracy as promised by October 1 next year.
Meanwhile, the 20-million member International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions has called on its US, Belgian and Dutch affiliates to boycott Nigerian oil arriving at ports in their countries. Most Nigerian exports go to the US and Europe. The boycott is in support of the ICEM's campaign to win the release of Nigeria's jailed oil union leaders.