For information on the structure, aims and objectives of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), please see the attached excerpt from the CDHR 1991 annual report.

In November 1995, Nigerian security forces reportedly arrested nine members of the CDHR in order to prevent them from publicly protesting the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa (Greenwire 17 Nov. 1995). Ken Saro-Wiwa was the environment activist and founder of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). He was executed by the Abacha regime on 12 November 1995 (West Africa 13-19 Nov. 1995, pp. 1756-7).

According to an article published in the 17 November 1995 edition of the Los Angeles Times, security forces had arrested "nine members of the CDHR." The nine members arrested included two student leaders from Benin City and seven committee members from Lagos (ibid.). According this source, the secretary general of the CDHR is Jiti Ogunye (ibid.).

A 20 July 1995 Reuters report, stated that the former CDHR vice-president, Osagie Obayuman and Chis Akannu, chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the CDHR, were arrested in Benin City and Port Harcourt respectively. Also arrested were members of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), another human rights organization in Nigeria.

For additional information on this topic, please refer to the attached articles.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). Lagos. 31 December 1991. 1991 Annual Report: Human Rights Situation in Nigeria.

Greenwire. 17 November 1995. "Nigeria: Protestors Arrested." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles]. "Nigeria Reportedly Arrests Rights Activitists to Thwart Protest Plans." (NEXIS)

West Africa [London]. 13-19 November 1995. "Saro-Wiwa Convicted," pp. 1756-1757.

Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). Lagos. 31 December 1991. 1991 Annual Report: Human Rights Situation in Nigeria.

Greenwire. 17 November 1995. "Nigeria: Protestors Arrested." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles]. "Nigeria Reportedly Arrests Rights Activitists to Thwart Protest Plans." (NEXIS)

West Africa [London]. 13-19 November 1995. "Saro-Wiwa Convicted," pp. 1756-1757.