PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

17 April 1997

The South African Nigerian Democratic Support Group welcomes the decision by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to appoint a Special Rapporteur on Nigeria. The SANDSG also welcomes and applauds the stand taken by South African Ambassador Jacob Selebe in the debate leading up to the adoption of the resolution.

Mr Selebe held true to the spirit and conviction of our democracy by speaking out in support of the people of Nigeria and insisting on the need for a Rapporteur. Mr Selebe also placed on record for the international community that not all African states promote violation of human rights.
We regard Mr Selebe’s actions as couragous particularly in view of the fact that at least 14 other African countries abstained or opposed the resolution.

We hope that South Africa at all times maintains this couragous position amidst an obvious disdain from other African countries to defend human rights at diplomatic level.

For more information, please contact Raashied Galant at (011) 403-8403 or Cato Pedder at (011) 648-8716