Below is an extract from a written statement submitted to the Fourth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) by the International Federation for the Protection of the Rights of Ethnic, Religious, Linguistic and Other Minorities (IFPRERLOM) in March 2007. It notes the contamination of water in villages as well as general environmental difficulties.

With reference to the mandates and mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), this written statement wishes to bring to the attention of the HRC current cases of grave human rights violations committed against indigenous peoples, minorities and other marginalised groups in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Following the visit to Nigeria and the report issued 30 January 2006 “Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Human Rights Defenders, Mission to Nigeria” the Special Representative on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms. Jilani expressed concern at contaminated water and soil and environmental damage in Ogoni villages. Her report indicates that environmental issues resulting from oil extraction have been insufficiently addressed, stating that; “In the Niger Delta region, serious issues of economic deprivation, underdevelopment, lack of benefits from the exploitation of local resources, such as oil, environmental damage and ecological degradation leading to loss of livelihood” have not been met with “sufficient measures”. Particularly with regard to the anticipated prevalence of insecurity in context of the upcoming April 2007 elections IFPRERLOM urges Nigeria to follow up on the recommendations of Ms. Jilani and recognize the need for the government and oil companies alike to review their practices, improve transparency and genuinely engage with defenders in order to hear and respond to the needs of the affected population.

For the full statement