For information on various Campaign for Democracy (CD) activities since May 1995, as well as reports on the arrests of various leaders or members, please consult the attached documents. These attachments, arranged in reverse chronological order for convenience, are divided into two categories: the first one includes general reports on the organization, while the second describes the arrests and subsequent conviction of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, variously described as the CD president or chairman. In a secret military trial, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti was found guilty on charges arising out of an alleged coup attempt and sentenced to life imprisonment (AI 9 Aug. 1995); the term was later reduced to 15 years (BBC World Service 11 Oct. 1995; The Times 13 Oct. 1995).

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.

References

Amnesty International (AI). 9 August 1995. Urgent Action: Legal Concern/Prisoners of Conscience. (AI Index: AFR 44/15/95). London: Amnesty International.

BBC World Service [London, in English]. 11 October 1995. "No Public Reaction to Commuted Sentences." (FBIS-AFR-95-197 12 Oct. 1995, p. 15)

The Times [London]. 13 October 1995. "Western Appeals for Leniency Ignored." (FBIS-AFR-95-199 16 Oct. 1995, p. 28)

Attachments

Campaign for Democracy

Reuters. 4 January 1996. BC Cycle. "Nigerian Activist Alleges Attempt to Kill Him." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 3 January 1996. "Released Activist Pushed Off Moving Vehicle." (FBIS-AFR-96-002 3 Jan. 1996, p. 13)

Radio France Internationale [Paris, in French]. 30 December 1995. "Nigeria; Opposition Leader Charged with Sedition and Released on Bail." (BBC Summary 31 Dec. 1995/NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 29 December 1995. "Fasheun, Others Charged, Released on Bail." (FBIS-AFR-96-001 2 Jan. 1996, p. 27)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 29 December 1995. Toye Olori. "Nigeria-Politics: Mixed Signals from Abuja." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 28 December 1995. "Police Detain 'Major' Opposition Leader Fasheun." (FBIS-AFR-95-250 29 Dec. 1995, p. 14)

_____. 27 December 1995. "Police Ban All Protest Rallies in Ogun State." (FBIS-AFR-95-249 28 Dec. 1995, p. 13)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 19 December 1995. Remi Oyo. "Nigeria-Politics: Police Use Tanks to Stop Pro-Democracy Rally." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in French]. 30 November 1995. "Opposition Plans to 'Disrupt' Transition." (FBIS-AFR-95-231 1 Dec. 1995, p. 13)

Amnesty International (AI). 2 August 1995. Urgent Action: Legal and Health Concern/Prisoners of Conscience/Fear of Death Penalty/Death Sentences. (AI Index: AFR 44/13/95). London: Amnesty International, pp. 1-2.

Reuters. 20 July 1995. BC Cycle. "Nigerian Rights Group Says New Arrest Wave Starts." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International (AI). 22 June 1995. Nigeria: Fears That Secret and Unfair Military Trial May End in Hasty Executions. (AI Index: AFR 44/07/95). London: Amnesty International, pp. 1-2.

_____. 16 June 1995. Urgent Action: Legal and Health Concern/Prisoners of Conscience/Fear of Death Penalty. (AI Index: AFR 44/06/95). London: Amnesty International, p. 1.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 12 June 1995. BC Cycle. "Police Out in Nigeria on 2nd Anniversary of Annulled Elections." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 12 June 1995. BC Cycle. Tunde Obadina. "Pro-Democracy Protest Grips Lagos." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 June 1995. BC Cycle. "Nigeria Democracy Group Says Five Members Held." (NEXIS)

The Weekly Journal [np]. 1 June 1995. "Nigerian Activist Arrested." (The Ethnic Newswatch/NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 24 May 1995. "Government Urges Public to Shun Opposition Strike Call." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 May 1995. "Security Agents Arrest Pro-Democracy Militant." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 19 May 1995. BC Cycle. Tunde Obadina. "Leader of Main Nigerian Opposition Group Reported Arrested." (NEXIS)

Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti

BBC World Service [London, in English]. 19 October 1995. "Campaigners Receive Note from Ransome-Kuti." (FBIS-AFR-95-202 19 Oct. 1995, pp. 25-26)

Reuters. 11 October 1995. BC Cycle. James Jukwey. "Cutting Jail Terms Brings Little Joy to Nigerian Opposition." (NEXIS)

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 3 October 1995. Paul Adams. "Democracy Delayed in Nigeria." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in French]. 27 September 1995. "Government Ignores Ruling by High Court." (FBIS-AFR-95-188 28 Sept. 1995, p. 28)

Africa No. 1. [Libreville, in French]. 13 September 1995. "High Court Suspends Bail for Ransome-Kuti." (FBIS-AFR-95-179 15 Sept. 1995, p. 29)

The Associated Press (AP). 12 September 1995. "Detained Nigerian Activist Granted Bail." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 7 September 1995. BC Cycle. "Doctors Demand to See Detained Activist." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International (AI). 9 August 1995. Urgent Action: Legal Concern/Prisoners of Conscience. (AI Index: AFR 44/15/95). London: Amnesty International, p. 1.

Africa No. 1. [Libreville, in French]. 8 August 1995. "Government Reportedly Gives Opposition Head Life Sentence." (BBC Summary 10 Aug. 1995/NEXIS)

Voice of America (VOA). 3 August 1995. Purnell Murdock. "Nigeria/Court." (WEB/NEXIS)

Amnesty International (AI). 31 July 1995. Urgent Action: Legal Concern/Prisoners of Conscience. (AI Index: AFR 44/11/95). London: Amnesty International, p. 1.

Reuters. 29 July 1995. BC Cycle. James Jukwey. "Nigerian Pro-Democracy Leader to Contest Arrest." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 28 July 1995. "Third Human Rights Activist Arrested in Lagos." (NEXIS)

BBC World Service [London, in English]. 27 July 1995. "Opposition Party Chairman Reportedly Arrested." (FBIS-AFR-95-145 28 July 1995, p. 14)

Radio France Internationale [Paris, in French]. 14 June 1995. "Nigeria; Head of Campaign for Democracy Released on Bail." (BBC Summary 16 June 1995/NEXIS)

The Observer [London]. 4 June 1995. Phillip Van Niekerk. "Nigeria Rounds Up Democrats." (NEXIS)