ACCORD Anfragebeantwortung

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Im Länderbericht zur Menschenrechtslage des US Department of State (USDOS) vom Februar 2004 (Berichtszeitraum 2003) wird der Vorfall folgendermaßen geschildert: Am 29. März 2003 hätte die Bereitschaftspolizei (anti-riot police) sieben MASSOB-Mitglieder im Staat Imo umgebracht, nachdem sie ein MASSOB-Treffen aufgelöst habe:

„Police reportedly harassed members of MASSOB, MOSOP, and other groups. On March 29, anti-riot police killed seven MASSOB members in Imo state after reportedly disrupting a MASSOB meeting.“ (USDOS, 25. Februar 2004, Sek. 2b)

Auf der Website des Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), www.biafraland.com, wird der Vorfall in einem undatierten Artikel wie folgt beschrieben: Am 29. März 2003 hätte die nigerianische Polizei in Umulolo nahe Okigwe einen Hinterhalt gegen unbewaffnete MASSOB-Mitglieder gelegt und mehr als 70 Personen ermordet. Die meisten Leichen seien allerdings nicht verfügbar, da sie von der Polizei mitgenommen und vermutlich in einem geheimen Massengrab begraben worden seien. Des weiteren werden 16 der ermordeten MASSOB-Mitglieder namentlich aufgelistet:

„On March 29, 2003 at Umulolo near Okigwe, the Nigerian police laid ambush against MASSOB Members on their way to a rally and killed over 70 unarmed MASSOB   Members. Among those killed are as follows [Auflistung von 16 Namen; entfernt; Anmerkung ACCORD] These victims of 29th March 2003 has been buried at their various communities. Though, most of the corpses were not recovered because the security agents collected their corpses and   speed away, and have refused to deliver the corpses to the relations of the diseased and we suspect that they were buried in a secret mass- grave.“ (MASSOB, kein Datum)

Das Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) gibt den Vorfall in einem Artikel vom 31. März 2003 folgendermaßen wieder: Mehr als 5.000 MASSOB-Mitglieder seien in einem Konvoi von rund 130 Autos und Bussen zu einer Kundgebung gefahren. Am Weg dorthin seien sie im Dorf Umololo im Staat Imo von schwerbewaffneter Polizei aufgehalten worden. Im Zuge dessen seien sieben Menschen ums Leben gekommen, wie auch der Polizeichef des Staats Imo, Ben Eghomone, bestätigt habe. Nach Darstellung von MASSOB seien 50 Mitglieder ermordet worden, zudem seien der Anführer der Gruppe, Ralph Uwazuruike, und 300 weitere Mitglieder verhaftet worden:

„At least seven members of a group campaigning for an independent Biafra were killed on Saturday in southeast Nigeria during a confrontation with the police, police and witnesses said. More than 5,000 members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were travelling in a convoy of about 130 cars and buses to a rally when they were confronted by heavily armed police at Umololo village in Imo State. "There was an argument and then a fight and the police shot dead seven people," Ray Onyeukwu, who said he witnessed the incident, told IRIN. The chief of police in Imo State, Ben Eghomone, confirmed the death of the seven and told reporters they had attempted to disarm the police. "Will the police stand and wait to be disarmed?" he said. But MASSOB said in a statement on Monday the police had opened fire unprovoked on their convoy of vehicles, killing 50 members. The group's leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, and 300 other members were subsequently arrested and taken into custody, the statement said.“ (IRIN, 31. März 2003)

Die nigerianische Zeitung This Day gibt am 4. April eine Meldung der Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) wieder, derzufolge bei dem Vorgehen der Polizei in Okigwe rund 68 Personen ums Leben gekommen seien, 5.000 vermisst würden und rund 300 Personen schwerverletzt seien. Der Anführer der Gruppe, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, sei verhaftet und in das Hauptquartier des Staatspolizeikommandos in Owerri überführt worden, wo er bis zur Meldung ohne Verfahren festgehalten werde:

 

„"The recent vicious clampdown on the group by mobile policemen in Okigwe has allegedly claimed the lives of about 68 persons. 5,000 are declared missing, while about 300 persons were seriously injured. The leader of the group, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike was also arrested and taken to the Imo State Police Command headquarters, Owerri and has since been detained without trial," CLO [Civil Liberties Organisation; Anmerkung ACCORD] said.“ (This Day, 4. April 2003)

Nach Angabe der nigerianischen Zeitung Daily Trust vom April 2003 seien 44 der bei dem Zusammenstoß am 31. März verhafteten MASSOB-Mitglieder auf Kaution freigelassen worden. Die Verhandlung sei für 14. Mai angesetzt worden. In einer eidesstattlichen Erklärung von Jonathan Inegbu wird der Vorfall folgendermaßen beschrieben: Die Gruppe sei am 29. März am Weg zu einem Kondolenzbesuch eines Kollegen in Okigwe, Staat Imo, von Polizisten angegriffen worden; 50 Personen seien ums Leben gekommen, viele andere hätten Schussverletzungen davongetragen. Jene MASSOB-Mitglieder, die verhaftet worden seien, wären in Owerri, Staat Imo, untergebracht und am 31. März 2003 auf Anweisung des Generalpolizeiinspektors nach Abuja transferriert worden, wo sie unter schlechten Bedingungen festgehalten würden:

„An Abuja High Court has granted 44 MASSOB members (Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra) bail while hearing in the suit has been slated for May 14, 2003. […] In an affidavit in support of the motion exparte sworn to by Mr. Jonathan Inegbu, while he said the members had gone to pay a condolence visit to one of their colleagues which is a normal routine of the group, on March 29, 2003 at Okigwe, Imo State. The police assaulted the applicants and left fifty of them dead and many injured as a result of the gun shots. The affidavit alleged that the applicants were arrested in Owerri, Imo State and on March 31 2003 transferred to Abuja through the directive of the Inspector General of Police. The members have since been detained in various cells in Abuja as the police said they suspected them of planning to disrupt a rally at Okigne. The members alleged that they have not been arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction and argued that granted bail, they would abide by all the conditions to safeguard their bail as they have been refused access to anybody and their health is deteriorating. The members of MASOB who institute the suit against the Inspector General of Police are Chief Raph Uwa-zoruike, Adigwe Nathaniel, Elias Aniegboka, Martin Ekpere, Nelson Chukwura, Augustine Mbanefo, Igna-tius Okorie, Oliver Okocha Kelechi, Elias Ugwu, Ifeanyi Nweke, Francis Nwankwo, Samuel Ogbonna, Udoka Eze, Donatus Utuagba, Valentine Enwelaezu, Sunday Okah and Reginald Nwaigwe and 26 others.“ (Daily Trust, 16. April 2003)

Die Zeitung Vanguard berichtet im April 2003 darüber, dass ein Gericht das Festhalten des MASSOB-Vorsitzenden Chief Raph Uwazurike und 49 weiterer Mitglieder für illegal befunden habe und ihre Entlassung angeordnet habe. Die 50 Personen seien am 29. März 2003 in Okigwe, Staat Imo, verhaftet worden. Eine eidesstattliche Erklärung der Gruppe gebe Aufschluss über Details der Verhaftung, aus der unter anderem hervorgehe, dass die Polizei sie an jenem Tag beschuldigt habe, eine politische Kundgebung von Gouverneur Achike Udenwa stören zu wollen:

„AN Abuja high court has ordered the immediate release of the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Raph Uwazurike and forty nine (49) others currently under police detention, describing it (their detention) as illegal. Uwazurike and his forty nine (49) lieutenants were arrested at Okigwe in Imo State on the 29th of March, 2003 and transferred to the Fore Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja where they are still being detained. […] In an 11 paragraph affidavit, MASSOB averred that on the 29th of March, 2003, while they were on their way to pay a condolence visit to one of their members, the police opened fire on them without a provocation, leaving 50 persons dead with some injured. They averred that police accused them of wanting to disrupt political rally being held by Gov. Achike Udenwa on that day, stating that that allegation was unfounded as they were nowhere near the rally venue.“ (Vanguard, 17. April 2003)

Die Zeitung Newswatch gibt die Vorfälle im Lokalverwaltungsgebiet von Okigwe im Staat Imo in einem Artikel vom 28. April 2003 wie folgt wieder: Am 29. März 2003 habe die Polizei 50 MASSOB-Mitglieder getötet, in der Folge seien die Bewohner der Gegend geflohen, schwerbewaffnete Polizisten seien präsent, es herrsche Unfrieden in der Gegend. Nach Angaben des MASSOB-Informationsdirektors Kenneth Anyanwu sei MASSOB am Weg zu einer Solidaritätskundgebung für den amerikanischen Krieg gegen den Terrorismus im Irak gewesen, als sie von bewaffneten mobilen Polizeieinheiten aus dem Hinterhalt heraus angegriffen worden seien. Anyanwu verdächtige Gouverneur Achike Udenwa, hinter der Ermordung der MASSOB-Mitglieder zu stecken. MASSOB-Vorsitzender Ralph Uwazuruike sei verhaftet und im Hauptquartier der Staatspolizei nahe dem Regierungssitz in Owerri untergebracht worden, bevor er am 31. März nach Abuja überstellt worden sei. Nach Angaben des MASSOB-Regionalsekretärs Uchenna Nmahu, hätten sich MASSOB-Mitglieder am 28. März 2003 in Okigwe, dem Sitz von Uwazuruike, zu einer Nachtwache zur Einleitung ihrer jährlichen Dreitageskundgebung (die auch Solidarität mit dem amerikanischen Krieg gegen den Terrorismus ausdrücken sollte) getroffen. Die Kundgebung hätte in 10 Staaten stattfinden sollen. Die MASSOB-Mitglieder hätten alle ehemalige Biafra-Uniformen getragen und seien unter Uwazuruikes Führung in einem Konvoi von mehr als 30 Fahrzeugen von Okigwe nach Owerri unterwegs gewesen. In Umulolo, rund einen Kilometer von Okigwe entfernt, seien sie von Polizisten mit Trängengas angegriffen und beschossen worden. Einige der Leichen seien von der Polizei an einen unbekannten Ort verschleppt worden. Angeblich habe die Polizei in Folge auch Spitäler im Südosten überwacht und Besitzer von Kliniken und Spitälern und niedergelassene Ärzte in den Staaten Imo und Abia davor gewarnt, Jugendliche mit Schusswunden aufzunehmen. Nach Angaben des Polizeikommissars von Imo, Hezekiah Dimka, seien diese Anschuldigungen unrichtig. Ihm zufolge sei der Zusammenstoß vermeidbar gewesen, wenn die MASSOB-Mitglieder die Straßensperre aus rund 30 Bussen und 2.000 Straßenkindern auf Bitten der Polizei hin aufgelöst hätten. Zudem habe die von MASSOB geplante Kundgebung am gleichen Tag stattgefunden wie Udenwas politische Kundgebung in Okigwe. Nach Angaben von Benneth Oghomone, scheidendem Polizeikommissar von Imo, seien rund 7 MASSOB-Mitglieder bei dem Zusammenstoß umgekommen, die in der Leichenhalle des staatlichen medizinischen Zentrums in Owerri aufgebahrt worden seien. Die MASSOB-Mitglieder hätten versucht, die Polizei zu entwaffnen:

„Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State has not known peace since the Saturday, March 29, police killing of 50 members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. The community has been deserted as inhabitants have fled for safety. There was still a heavy presence of armed policemen in the area as at press time. Kenneth Anyanwu, MASSOB director of information, told Newswatch that MASSOB was on its way to a solidarity rally in support of American war against terrorism in Iraq when a combined team of the armed mobile policemen laid ambush and opened fire on them. Anyanwu accused Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State of being behind the killing of MASSOB members. He said Ralph Uwazuruike, MASSOB leader, was arrested and detained at the Imo State police headquarters near Government House, Owerri, before the Presidency ordered his transfer to Force Headquarters, Abuja , on Monday, March 31. The police last week ordered his release. Uchenna Nmahu, MASSOB's provincial secretary, Onitsha, told Newswatch, that their members had gathered in Okigwe, the country home of Uwazuruike, Friday evening, March 28, for an all-night vigil to usher in their yearly three-day rally which was also to feature a solidarity rally in support of American war against terrorism. Nmahu said the rally was to be held in 10 states - Imo, Abia, Enugu , Anambra, Delta, Cross River ,Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Bayelsa states. Newswatch learnt MASSOB members were all dressed in the defunct Biafra military uniform and were in a convoy of more than 30 vehicles led by Uwazuruike from Okigwe to Owerri when the incident happened in Umulolo, one kilometre from Okigwe. The policemen had laid ambush there and ordered the convoy to stop. While the members were coming out of the vehicle, the police threw tear gas at them thus, causing confusion during which they opened fire on them. Another account said that the convoy refused to stop hence the police fired at them. Newswatch learnt the police took some of the dead bodies to unknown destinations. MASSOB members carried those wounded to rural areas for treatment. It was gathered that the police also monitored hospitals in the South-East to arrest any doctor who treated MASSOB members. A police source said the Imo State Government through the police command, had earlier warned proprietors of clinics and hospitals in Imo and Abia states not to treat youths with gun wounds. It was gathered that the government went ahead to send security agents to keep watch on private doctors and to arrest any one who disobeyed the order. This development had resulted in more casualties on the side of MASSOB members. But Hezekiah Dimka, the newly-appointed police commissioner in Imo State denied the allegations. According to him "the confrontation that claimed some lives was avoidable, if the MASSOB members had heeded several appeals from the police to dismantle the roadblock mounted with about 30 buses and 2,000 street urchins." He said the attitude of MASSOB leaders on the day of the incident was not only provocative but most irresponsible (as their planned rally coincided with) Udenwa's political rally in Okigwe that same day. Benneth Oghomone, the outgoing police commissioner of the state, preparing to proceed on transfer to Abuja , admitted that about seven members died in the clash. He said MASSOB members were trying to disarm the policemen. According to him: "Will police stand and wait for you to disarm them? Some people lost their lives. The figure could be as high as five or seven but initially they said it is 11. The people they thought were dead are no more dead. You see in a situation like this you can't get accurate figures," he said. Newswatch learnt that only seven bodies were deposited in the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary, Owerri and were yet to be collected by relations.“ (Newswatch, 28. April 2003)

Aus einem Artikel der Zeitung This Day vom Juni 2003 geht hervor, dass der MASSOB-Vorsitzende Chief Ralph Uwazuruike im Juni 2003 entlassen worden sei. Das Gerichtsverfahren gegen Uwazurike und 37 weitere Personen sei am 4. Juni angehalten worden. Uwazuruike und die 37 anderen MASSOB-Mitglieder seien nach einem Massaker in Omumo an 200 Jugendlichen, das angeblich auf Anordnung der Polizei durchgeführt worden sei, verhaftet worden. Fünf der ursprünglich Beschuldigten, darunter Ralph Uwazuruike, seien am 6. Juni wegen Verschwörung und illegaler Versammlung angeklagt worden:

„Detained leader of the Movement for the Actuallisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, on Friday secured his release after being in detention since March 29, even as he promised to keep up the fight for the state of Biafra. Uwazuruike and four others were released on bail by the Owerri Magistrate Court 1, presided over by Chief Magistrate D.C. Denwigwe. The trial of Uwazurike and 37 others has been stalled since June 4, following disagreement between MASSOB/BBLF Counsel on the jurisdiction of the trial court since the offence for which they were standing trial was committed in Okigwe. Initially, about 37 members of the group were arrested on March 29 over the massacre of 200 youths in Omumo allegedly on the orders of police authorities in the State. But when the case was finally heard on June 6, only five accused persons, including 43 year old Ralph Uwazuruike, were charged for conspiracy and unlawful assembly to commit misdeamenour. Others charged were Mr. Bennedict Okoye, 32, Mr. Obiakouna Hyginus, 29, Mr. Simeon chukwuemaka, 34 and Uche Ugbala, 28.“ (This Day, 9. Juni 2003)

Die Zeitung Vanguard berichtet Ende April von einem Trauermonat, der im Anschluss an die Vorfälle vom 29. März 2003 in Okigwe, beginnend mit 1. April 2003, durchgeführt worden sei. Am 30. April, am letzten Tag des Trauermonats, sei es abermals zu Zusammenstößen zwischen demonstrierenden MASSOB-Mitgliedern und mobilen Polizisten im Staat Lagos gekommen, bei denen zwei Mitglieder getötet und 11 weitere schwer verletzt worden seien:

„TWO protesting members of the Movement for the Actuaslisation of the Sovereign State of Baifra (MASSOB) were yesterday feared dead while eleven others were seriously injured after a clash with a team of mobile policemen at Omilani junction, by Agbebi street, Ijesha- Tedo area of Lagos state. Members of the group numbering over thirty-five, reports said, were mourning the death of their colleagues who were allegedly killed by police during a rally at Okigwe, in Imo state on March 29th, 2003. The one-month mourning which started on April 1, 2003 was supposed to have ended yesterday with a church service when tragedy struck.“ (Vanguard, 30. April 2003)

Darüber hinaus konnten in den ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehenden Quellen im Rahmen der zeitlich begrenzten Recherche keine Informationen zu oben genannter Studentendemonstration am 1. April 2003 gefunden werden. Gesucht wurde auf den Plattformen IRIN, AllAfrica.com, BiafraNigeriaWorld, sowie mittels Google unter anderem nach den folgenden Begriffen: „Federal University of Technology in Owerri“ 2003/ University Owerri April 2003/ University Owerri April 2003 demonstration/ "1 April 2003" Owerri rally OR demonstration OR manifestation/ rally April 2003 Udenwa/ rally "1 April" OR "April 1" 2003 Udenwa/ Okigwe MASSOB March 2003 Chronology/ "student demonstration" MASSOB 2003/ "student demonstration" Owerri 2003/ Owerri 2003 Udenwa site:www.biafraland.com/ Owerri 2003 demonstration site:www.biafraland.com/ Owerri 2003 "1 April" OR "April 1" site:www.biafraland.com/ Owerri "student demonstration" site:www.biafraland.com/ Owerri demonstration OR rally site:www.biafraland.com/ Owerri Ihiagwa student 2003/ Owerri "student protests" April 2003/ MASSOB "student protests" April 2003/ Imo "1 April" OR "April 1" rally OR protest MASSOB/ Imo "1 April" OR "April 1" rally OR protest http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/ Owerri mourn April 2003 MASSOB/ Nekede protest Owerri 2003.

 

Diese Informationen beruhen auf einer zeitlich begrenzten Recherche in öffentlich zugänglichen Dokumenten, die ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehen. Diese Antwort stellt keine Meinung zum Inhalt eines bestimmten Ansuchens um Asyl oder anderen internationalen Schutz dar. Wir empfehlen, die verwendeten Materialien zur Gänze durchzusehen.