Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1458
2009-08-07 07:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO7099 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1458 2190709 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 070709Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6777 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 2051 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 1006 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 1796 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS ABUJA 001458
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UN NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR
INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
REF: STATE 70129
UNCLAS ABUJA 001458
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UN NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR
INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
REF: STATE 70129
1. (U) Per reftel request, the Nigerian Constitution
expressly prohibits all acts of torture and inhuman
treatment. However, the constitution does not define
torture, there is no body of case law, and there have been no
prosecutions or convictions to date relating to the torture
of any person.
2. (U) A bill was introduced in the National Assembly in 2005
making torture a crime for the first time, specifically
outlawing torture by security agents and police. This bill
expired before being voted upon. The new Executive Secretary
of the National Human Rights Commission Roland Ewubare is
working to have this measure move forward in the Assembly
along with a group of other Human Rights issues. The
National Assembly is currently on summer recess, with no
progress noted to date.
3. (U) The Legal Research Initiative (LRI),a Civil Society
group with support from the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation, has conducted research into the use of
torture in Nigeria, and sponsored law enforcement training.
Currently, as part of a new 3 year project (2009-2011) they
are conducting a new research initiative to document the use
of torture by law enforcement during interrogations. Its
goals include documenting examples of torture, encouraging
victims and witnesses to tell their stories, and to train law
enforcement agencies on interrogation techniques that do not
include torture.
4. (U) LRI's 2006 Study on Domestication of the UN Convention
Against Torture,
Inhuman, Cruel and Other Degrading Punishment said that an
additional challenge in Nigeria is the institution of Shari'a
law in 12 northern states. It added, "It remains to be seen
how possible it is to balance the religious sentiments
attached to the Shari'a Penal Code and Nigeria's obligations
under the UN Convention".
SANDERS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UN NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR
INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
REF: STATE 70129
1. (U) Per reftel request, the Nigerian Constitution
expressly prohibits all acts of torture and inhuman
treatment. However, the constitution does not define
torture, there is no body of case law, and there have been no
prosecutions or convictions to date relating to the torture
of any person.
2. (U) A bill was introduced in the National Assembly in 2005
making torture a crime for the first time, specifically
outlawing torture by security agents and police. This bill
expired before being voted upon. The new Executive Secretary
of the National Human Rights Commission Roland Ewubare is
working to have this measure move forward in the Assembly
along with a group of other Human Rights issues. The
National Assembly is currently on summer recess, with no
progress noted to date.
3. (U) The Legal Research Initiative (LRI),a Civil Society
group with support from the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation, has conducted research into the use of
torture in Nigeria, and sponsored law enforcement training.
Currently, as part of a new 3 year project (2009-2011) they
are conducting a new research initiative to document the use
of torture by law enforcement during interrogations. Its
goals include documenting examples of torture, encouraging
victims and witnesses to tell their stories, and to train law
enforcement agencies on interrogation techniques that do not
include torture.
4. (U) LRI's 2006 Study on Domestication of the UN Convention
Against Torture,
Inhuman, Cruel and Other Degrading Punishment said that an
additional challenge in Nigeria is the institution of Shari'a
law in 12 northern states. It added, "It remains to be seen
how possible it is to balance the religious sentiments
attached to the Shari'a Penal Code and Nigeria's obligations
under the UN Convention".
SANDERS