A commission set up in Nigeria to look into human rights abuses by former military governments says it is overwhelmed by submissions.
The commission, which was sworn in earlier this week, says it's already received 10,000 cases.
Most - some 8,000 - come from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, whose leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa was hanged by General Abacha. Others refer to the cancellation of the l993 elections by then military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida.
The commission can summon witnesses to attend its hearings, and recommend that people be tried for their crimes, although the question of political amnesty has not yet been resolved. Its period of remit begins with the government of General Buhari in l984 and ends in May, when the civilian government took over.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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