WHEREAS, the current government of Nigeria is a military dictatorship which denies more than 100 million people basic rights, and the U.S. State Department has found that the Nigerian regime routinely commits serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and torture of pro-democracy, religious, labor and student activists, and denies free speech and assembly; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 7,000 opponents of the military regime are in jail or in exile, including Chief MKO Abiola, who was elected president in 1993 and has been imprisoned for nearly five years, and pro-democracy activists continue to risk their lives in their efforts to gain international support; and
WHEREAS, the 1996 murder of Kudiart Abiola, wife of imprisoned Chief MKO Abiola, and the 1995 execution of nine environmental activists from the Ogoni region, including renowned writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, were condemned by world leaders including President Nelson Mandela; and
WHEREAS, the United States can have significant impact on the Nigerian government because the U.S. annually purchases nearly half of the oil exports on which the regime depends for economic survival; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Donald Payne (D-New Jersey) and twenty other members of Congress have introduced H.R. 1786, the Nigeria Democracy Act, which, if enacted, would impose sanctions on the Nigerian military regime including a ban on new U.S. investments until democracy is restored; and
WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church, and particularly the General Board of Global Ministries, has a long and proud history of supporting human rights, freedom, and development in Africa; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church calls for the immediate release of political prisoners, including President-elect MKO Abiola, to enable him to head the transition from military rule to democracy; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church calls for the current level of sanctions (travel, visa restrictions and the denial of military aid) to be maintained by the United States, the Commonwealth, and the European Union. If progress is not made toward these benchmarks, graduated sanctions should be imposed. Both the threat and implementation of intensified sanctions will convey America's seriousness to the Nigerian regime; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church calls for NGOs, including human rights and democracy-promoting groups, to operate throughout Nigeria. They can exert internal pressure on the military regime and provide hope for an open participatory political process. These organizations, however, need to be strengthened through international protection, financial support, additional training and partnerships. Along with the government, U.S. religious organizations, universities, think tanks, and businesses in Nigeria can all play a role in supporting various community networks and the NGOs; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church urge the government of the United States to take all practical steps to achieve the early restoration of democracy and human rights in Nigeria, including the swift passage of the Nigeria Democracy Act
(H.R. 1786) now before the Congress; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church urge its members to participate in "Nigeria Democracy Sunday," June 14, 1998, through prayer and advocacy to support those who are struggling for human rights and justice in Nigeria; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries encourage church and public dialogue and ongoing education on the crisis in Nigeria; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries provide updated resources on unfolding developments in Nigeria to directors on a regular basis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Board of Global Ministries explore possibilities
of an on-site visitation to Nigeria by directors for study and dialogue.
This resolution was adopted by the directors of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church at its semi-annual meeting on April 23, 1998. Only the United Methodist quadrennial General Conference can speak on behalf of The United Methodist Church.
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