Science for Human Rights
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Writer and human rights campaigner Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed, along with eight other members of the Ogoni people, by the Nigerian State in 1995. Ken Saro-Wiwa was a leading figure in the 500,000-strong Ogoni community and a founder and President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). The MOSOP pressed oil companies and the government to clean up the environment and pay adequate compensation and royalties to the oil producing regions.
In February and March 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and 14 other accused were brought to trial on murder charges. On 30 and 31 October 1995 nine of the accused were convicted and sentenced to death following a politically-motivated prosecution and unfair trial; six others were acquitted.
On 10 November 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Baribor Bera, Saturday Doobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbokoo, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura and Felix Nuate were hanged. The executions, carried out in defiance of appeals for clemency from heads of state, intergovernmental bodies and human rights groups worldwide, earned Nigeria international sanctions, suspension from the Commonwealth,and unprecedented scrutiny and denunciation. MOSOP leaders were detained without charge or trial on several occasions since 1993, including Ken Saro-Wiwa for periods in 1993 and 1994. In May 1994, four leading members of the Ogoni community were killed, reportedly by MOSOP supporters. MOSOP leaders, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, were detained, assaulted, and publicly accused by the authorities of responsibility for the murders, an accusation they denied.
Amnesty International believes Ken Saro-Wiwa and other activists were targeted by the Nigerian authorities because of MOSOP's political campaign which called for increased autonomy for the Ogoni ethnic group and highlighted the lack development of the area and the severe environmental damage resulting from the operations of oil companies - notably Shell.
© AI/Karen de Groot
Location on map is approximate.
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Writer and human rights campaigner Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed, along with eight other members of the Ogoni people, by the Nigerian State in 1995. Ken Saro-Wiwa was a leading figure in the 500,000-strong Ogoni community and a founder and President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). The MOSOP pressed oil companies and the government to clean up the environment and pay adequate compensation and royalties to the oil producing regions.
In February and March 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and 14 other accused were brought to trial on murder charges. On 30 and 31 October 1995 nine of the accused were convicted and sentenced to death following a politically-motivated prosecution and unfair trial; six others were acquitted.
On 10 November 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Baribor Bera, Saturday Doobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbokoo, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura and Felix Nuate were hanged. The executions, carried out in defiance of appeals for clemency from heads of state, intergovernmental bodies and human rights groups worldwide, earned Nigeria international sanctions, suspension from the Commonwealth,and unprecedented scrutiny and denunciation. MOSOP leaders were detained without charge or trial on several occasions since 1993, including Ken Saro-Wiwa for periods in 1993 and 1994. In May 1994, four leading members of the Ogoni community were killed, reportedly by MOSOP supporters. MOSOP leaders, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, were detained, assaulted, and publicly accused by the authorities of responsibility for the murders, an accusation they denied.
Amnesty International believes Ken Saro-Wiwa and other activists were targeted by the Nigerian authorities because of MOSOP's political campaign which called for increased autonomy for the Ogoni ethnic group and highlighted the lack development of the area and the severe environmental damage resulting from the operations of oil companies - notably Shell.
© AI/Karen de Groot
Location on map is approximate.