Amnesty International and LEPAD concerned about rights violations

Amnesty International and the Nigerian Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEPAD) on Monday expressed deep concern about human rights violations and an increase in political violence in the run-up to Nigeria's federal and state elections, scheduled for April and May 2003. In a joint statement, the organisations said that reports of political violence, including the assassination of political leaders, clashes between supporters of different political persuasions - both within political parties and between rival parties - and the intimidation and harassment of candidates and sympathisers had risen considerably in recent months. "Amnesty International and LEPAD are concerned that rising political violence results in violations of the fundamental rights to life and physical integrity and inhibits genuine participation and freedom of expression," the statement read. All candidates in the elections, it added, should do their utmost to prevent political violence and refrain from inciting ethnic or religious tensions or violence. The statement urged all political parties to express publicly their commitment to curb political violence among their supporters and - independently of the action of law enforcement officials and the judiciary - to carry out exhaustive internal investigations on allegations of politically motivated acts of violence sponsored by their members. The two organisations called on the government to protect politicians and other individuals particularly at risk during the electoral period. They urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to liaise with the police for effective coordination of the deployment of security personnel and equipment before, during and after elections, to ensure that there were no abuses against those exercising their right to vote in the elections. The statement called on the international community to express publicly its concern about mounting political violence during the elections and urged governments to prioritize the assessment made by national and international observers of the human rights situation in Nigeria during the elections in their contacts with the Nigerian government. The full report is posted at: www.amnesty.org