The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 16th Ordinary Session held from 25 October to 3 November, 1994 in Banjul, The Gambia:
Recalling that Nigeria has ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
Believes that the restoration of democracy in Nigeria will be a positive step in African development,
Regrets the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election which was adjudged free and fair by national and international observers,
Condemns the gross violations of Human Rights as evidenced in:
1. the exclusion of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights from the operation of decrees adopted by the military regime;
2. the detention of pro-democracy activists and members of the press;
3. the exclusion of the jurisdiction of courts over decrees;
4. discarding of court judgements;
5. the promulgation of laws without proper procedure of penal laws with retroactive effect;
6. the closure of newspaper houses.
Calls upon the Nigerian military government to respect the right of free participation in government and the right to self-determination and hand over the government to duly elected representatives of the people without unnecessary delay;
Re-affirms the decision to send a delegation of Commission members to meet with the Nigeria Head of State, to express concern of the Commission about the gross violations of human rights and express the need for the Nigeria military government to urgently transfer power to a civilian government.
