Womens Economic Rights> HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

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Dear Networkers,

   The Punch, Tuesday, December 4, 2001.
                by     
        Emmanuel Obe, Onitsha.

CLO DECRIES HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

The Anambra State branch of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), has decried 
the continued denial of human and group rights in the country. 
The branch chairman, Mr. Emaka Umeagbalasi, said in a statement in Onitsha, on 
Monday, that the organisation was particularly disturbed by the denial of the 
citizens'  fundamental human rights especially the right to life.
Umeagbalasi noted that 15,000 Nigerians had been killed unlawfully since the 
inception of the present civilian government in 1999, adding that the killings 
were carried out by eithnic militias, vigilance groups and religious fanatics 
who deny their victims the opportunity to defend themselves.
He identified the defunct Onitsha Traders Association killer squad, the Bakassi 
Boys in Onitsha, Owerri, Nnewi and Aba the religious fanatics in the North and 
ethnic militias in Bayelsa, South-West and Benue States as the major culprits 
in human rights abuses. 
"It is saddening to note that the situation is glaringly surpassing the records 
as obtained during the dark days of military regimes.  Situations where state 
governments, individuals and groups are allowed to turn into "Talibans" of the 
Nigerian federation and seemingly washing their hands with innocent human blood 
with impunity must be condemned, he said.
The statement, which was the organisation's reaction to the 2002 budget 
proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Olusegun Obasanjo, 
faulted the N17.6 billion, the N3.8 billion, and the N14.8 billion allocated to 
the education, agriculture and health Ministries respectively.
Umeagbalasi said the allocation to the education sector in the budget was far 
below the 28 per cent recommended by the United Nations Education and 
Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) for developing countries.
The Federal Government, he said, instead of revamping the education sector, was 
acting on the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, 
commercialising education in the country.
He said that it was not fair that the nation was still giving lip service to 
agriculture which could ordinarily be the mainstay of the economy.
"It is an indisputable fact that Nigeria will continue to grapple with her 
economic and unemployment problems until more serious attention is given to 
agriculture and rural development," he said.
He urged the National Assembly to intervene by reviewing positively the 
allocations to education, health, agriculture, science and technology and 
justice.

NOGI IMOUKHUEDE
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR,
WOMEN'S RIGHTS WATCH NIGERIA