M130

2 November 1995

Nigeria: Sentencing of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Other Mosop Activists

The Australian Government deplores the death sentences imposed by the Ogoni Civil Disturbances Tribunal on Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other members of Nigeria's Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP).

Mr Saro-Wiwa and the other MOSOP activists were sentenced on 31 October and 1 November 1995. The sentences must be confirmed by the Provisional Ruling Council, the highest decision making body of Nigeria's military regime.

Australia is concerned by reports that the evidence presented against the defendants at the trial was merely circumstantial. The Australian Government is also concerned by the fact that those sentenced have no right of appeal to a judicial body.

Australia is opposed to capital punishment as a matter of principle.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be registering our concerns with the Nigerian Government. I will also be consulting with my counterparts in the Commonwealth and elsewhere to establish an agreed mechanism to communicate international concern to the Nigerian Government.

Melbourne