Repression Intensifies

Statement by the British Committee of the International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR), 15 May 1996

The following statement was issued by the British Committee of the International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) after its meeting on 14th May had considered the present trade union position in Nigeria.

Recent reports from Nigeria are not encouraging for all those who treasure and respect human rights and trade union freedoms. A number of trade union leaders including oil union leaders Frank Kokori and Milton Dabibi, remain in prison without trial after several months of detention.

The elected Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Adams Oshimole was recently arrested and briefly detained by the police as part of the regime's campaign of harassment against the democratic forces in Nigeria.

At the same time, the government is restructuring the trade unions and introducing laws which exclude the general secretaries of industrial unions from taking any positions in the leadership of the national trade union centre, the Nigerian Labour Congress.

All these actions by the Nigerian Government are an affront to international standards established by the United Nations and the International Labour Office.

We urge all British affiliates of ICTUR to protest in the strongest terms to the Nigerian Embassy in London and to bring the situation to the attention of British-based companies with interests in Nigeria and where you have members.

ICTUR British Committee also calls its affiliates to express their concern on this matter to the British and Commonwealth Office asking it to bring pressure on the Nigerian regime to restore trade union rights and release all imprisoned trade union leaders and activists.

ICTUR British Committee
May 1996

ICTUR International Head Office:
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Tel: +(44) 171 498 4700 Fax: +(44) 171 498 0611