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[This is a summary of the 1997 US government report on human rights. It carries key excerpts from the report dealing with each country covered by IRIN West Africa. The report, published by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the United States Department of State was issued on 30 January 1998. It is carried in full on the following web site: http://www.state.gov]
WEST AFRICA: US government cites human rights violations
BENIN
The government of Benin in 1997 generally respected human rights. However, it failed to curtail acts of vigilantism and mob justice by the police. There were also serious administrative delays in processing ordinary criminal cases resulting in a denial of timely and fair trials. The Constitutional court has continued to demonstrate its independence. In one high-profile case, it struck down the provisions of a new media law as unconstitutional.
BURKINA FASO
According to a collective of 14 Burkinabe NGOs cited by the report, the 1997 legislative election was peaceful and orderly, but marred by voter list irregularities and corruption thereby limiting the ability of voters to change the government. Meanwhile, the security forces continued to mistreat detainees. Prison conditions remained harsh. A general climate of impunity for members of the security forces along with the lack of progress in identifying or punishing those responsible for serious abuses committed in previous years have continued to tarnish the Government's record. However, compared to 1996, the government has improved its human rights record.
CAMEROON
The report said that the Cameroon's human rights record remained generally poor. Some 600 local elections monitors who observed the May legislative election reported numerous anomalies leading to the disenfranchisement of a significant portion of the electorate. The October presidential election was also marred by procedural flaws and generally considered by observers as "not free and fair". Security forces had continued to conduct illegal searches, harass citizens, infringe on their privacy and monitor opposition activists. On press freedom, however, independent newspapers enjoyed considerable latitude to publish their views. Some journalists, however, were subject to official harassment, trial and conviction.
CAPE VERDE
The judiciary system in Cape Verde has provided effective means of dealing with instances of individual abuse. The report cited isolated cases of police abuse, including beatings of criminal suspects.
CHAD
The human rights situation in Chad improved in 1997. However, local human rights groups noted that security forces committed scores of extrajudicial killings. These forces used arbitrary arrest, detention, illegal searches and wiretaps. The government has not prosecuted those held responisble.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
The human rights record in Equatorial Guinea remained poor. Principal abuses by the security forces have included abuse of prisoners, torture, beatings, searches without warrants and confiscation of property without due process. On the positive side, the government loosened its severe restrictions on freedom of speech and the press. It permitted the establishment of independent newspapers.
GABON
Though long standing human rights abuses continued, the Gabonese government generally respected human rights. Security forces have beaten and tortured prisoners and detainees. Prison conditions have continued to remain abysmal.
THE GAMBIA
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh and the ruling party continued to dominate the political system and imposed restrictions on opposition parties. In a serious incident, security officials detained eight opposition party supporters, who were then tortured. Although the health authorities officials have focused greater attention on the dangers of female circumcision, the practice remained widespread and entrenched.
GHANA
Ghanaian police in 1997 used excessive force during attempts at crowd control resulting in a number of extrajudicial killings, as well as injuries. The judicial system lacked adequate funding and has continued to be vulnerable to political influence compromising its integrity. The government has attempted to curb the media's influence but the independent press continued its vigorous and outspoken criticism of various government policies. Seven new radio stations in 1997.
GUINEA BISSAU
The overall human rights situation did not improve in 1997. Police continued to engage in arbitrary detention, physical mistreatment and other forms of harassment. The government did not punish any members of the security forces for abuse. Discrimination against women and female mutilation persisted.
GUINEA
Human rights continued to be circumscribed by the Guinean government. The government has tightened its control over the electoral process, rejected the establishment of an independent electoral commission and banned the opening of private television stations. Major abuses reported were: Disappearances, police abuse of prisoners and detainees, use of torture by military personnel, inhuman prison condition and frequent deaths. The ministry of justice, the national assembly and local NGOs have attempted to educate the citizenry about the judicial process and individual rights.
LIBERIA
Security provided by the west African peacekeeping force ECOMOG in Liberia and the largely successful disarmament programme led to a decline in human rights abuses prior to September 1997. However, abuses increased towards the end of the year. The judicial system, hampered by inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of resources, was reconstituted in April 1997 with the installation of a defactionalised and independent Supreme Court to arbitrate disputes arising from presidential and legislative elections. Upon his election as president, Charles Taylor installed a new Supreme Court. Unfavourable conditions limited the return of refugees who sought haven in neighbouring countries during the country's seven-year civil war. In December more than 100,000 refugees and internally displaced persons had returned to their home areas.
In October 1997, Taylor enacted a bill to create a Human
Rights Commission. Limited to investigating current
and future human rights abuses, the commission had
no power to compel the testimony of witnesses. It also
had no government funding to conduct its activities.
NIGER
No improvement in Niger's human rights record was noted in 1997. The 1996 coup d'etat and a flawed presidential election effectively disenfranchised voters preventing them from exercising their right to change their government. Security forces occasionally beat and intimidated opposition political figures and violated laws governing searches, treatment of prisoners and length of detention. The government also passed a press law in June prescribing stiff fines and jail terms for anyone defaming or insulting the president or other high officials. The authorities continued to ban peaceful meetings and demonstrations.
NIGERIA
The Nigerian government's human rights record in 1997 was poor. It relied on arbitrary detention and harassment to silence outspoken critics. The presumed winner of annulled 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola, remained in detention on charges of treason as did other pro-democracy activists. Security forces committed extrajudicial killings and used excessive force to quell anti-government protests as well as combat crime resulting in the death or injury of many individuals.
Despite the announced timetable for transition from military to multi-party rule, there was little meaningful progress towards democracy. Local government elections held on 15 March 1997 were largely peaceful but a flawed voter registration process, pre-election process, and unresolved debates over the delination of constituencies cast doubts upon the exercise. In April 1997, the government issued Decree Number 7, which allowed the arbitrary removal of any elected official by the Nigerian leader, General Sani Abacha.
Former head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo and more than 30 others convicted by secret military tribunals remained in prison for their alleged roles in a March 1995 coup plot. Obasanjo's former deputy, General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua died in custody on 8 December provoking widespread public protests in his northern Nigerian home district.
On 21 December 1997, the Nigerian government announced the arrest of the country's second highest ranking military officer, General Oladipo Diya, and an unspecified number of other people, including military officers. Those charged would would be tried by a military tribunal.
Throughout 1997, security officers frequently harassed, arrested and detained Nigerian journalists. Virtually all senior editors of publications critical of the government were subject to surveillance harassment by security agents. A human rights group has estimated that more than 30 journalists were in prison.
MALI
The government generally respected constitutional provisions for freedom of speech, press, assembly, association and religion. The Malian constitutional court demonstrated its independence by rejecting several items submitted by the national assembly pertaining to electoral and administrative matters. Social and cultural factors continued to limit economic and educational opportunities for most women.
MAURITANIA
Democratic institutions in Mauritania remained rudimentary. Although the government instituted judicial programmes and training, the executive continued to exercise significant pressure on the judiciary and in practice the right to a fair trial. Four judges were suspended for refusing to recognise the rights of slaves. It also broadened the scope for opposition activity and improved access to government-owned media during the election campaign.
Mauritanian authorities also continued efforts to resolve a crisis in which some 70,000 Maurtianians were expelled or fled to Senegal in the years 1989-1992. With the assistance of the Mauritanian Red Crescent Association and the UNHCR it was estimated that 30,000 to 35,000 had returned.
SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone's human rights record in 1997 worsened and was described as extremely poor. Before the 25 May coup d'etat which overthrew democratically-elected President Alhaji Tejan Ahmad Kabbah, government military forces committed serious human rights abuses including extrajudicial killings, beatings, and arbitrary arrests. It cited lengthy delays in trials, prolonged pretrial detentions and violations of due process. Prior to the coup, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) continued to attack villages and ambush travellers. It also captured children and forced them to commit atrocities. The Kamajor traditional hunters turned into a militia and committed serious abuses.
After May 25 1997, the ruling Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the RUF committed numerous serious human rights abuses. The AFRC routinely jailed civic leaders and student opponents without judicial process, amputated arms of some and raped women as punishment. After the coup, the court system ceased to exist.
SENEGAL
Senegal saw extrajudicial killings and disappearances, torture by police of suspects during questioning, arbitrary arrest and lengthy pretrial detention. The Senegalese government has not tried or punished any of security forces for previous human rights abuse. A National Observatory of Elections was created in August 1997 with its effectiveness expected to be tested during the national parliamentary elections in May 1998. However, human rights were generally well protected.
TOGO
The Togolese government in 1997 continued to influence the judiciary. Some detainees had waited years to be judged. The government and security forces restricted press freedom often using investigative detention and suspension of newspaper publications to harass journalists and political opponents. The national assembly renewed the mandate of the National Human Rights Commission.
Abidjan, 4 February 1998 1840 gmt
[ends]
[The material contained in this communication comes to you via IRIN West Africa, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. UN IRIN-WA Tel: +225 21 73 66 Fax: +225 21 63 35 e-mail: irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci for more information or subscription. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this report, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. IRIN reports are archived on the Web at: http://www.reliefweb.int/emergenc or can be retrieved automatically by sending e-mail to archive@dha..unon.org. Mailing list: irin-wa-weekly]
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 19:22:53 +0000 (GMT) From: UN IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@wa.dha.unon.org> Subject: WEST AFRICA: Summary of US human rights report 98.02.04 Message-Id: <Pine.LNX.3.95.980204184613.925A-100000@wa.dha.unon.org>
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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