SECRETARY-GENERAL TO SEND FACT-FINDING MISSION TO NIGERIA
Press Release
SG/SM/5929
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO SEND FACT-FINDING MISSION TO NIGERIA
19960320 The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali:The Secretary-General, at the request of the Government of Nigeria, has decided to send a fact-finding mission to Nigeria.
The mission comprises: Atsu Koffi Amega, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and former President of the Supreme Court of Togo, and a member of the African Commission for Human and People's Rights; Justice V.S. Malimath, member of the National Human Rights Commission of India; and John P. Pace, Chief of Legislation and Prevention of Discrimination Branch, Centre for Human Rights. The mission, which will be accompanied by Amer Araim, Senior Political Affairs Officer in the Department of Political Affairs, will depart for Nigeria on Wednesday, 27 March.
The mission is in fulfilment of the mandate entrusted to the Secretary- General in accordance with General Assembly resolution 50/199. The mission, therefore, will address itself to two issues of concern to the international community: first, the trial and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others, including the judicial procedures of the trial in the context of the various international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party and of relevant Nigerian law; and, second, the plans of the Government of Nigeria to implement its declared commitment to restore the country to democratic rule.
The mission, upon completion of its work, will submit a report to the Secretary-General.
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