Nigeria condemns human rights violation in Western Sahara

LAGOS, Oct 12 -- The Nigerian government has condemned human rights violations unleashed on workers of Western Sahara, saying it would co-opt the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) leadership to tackle some of the problems in the region, the Daily Independent newspaper reported on Monday.     Nigerian Minister of Labor and Productivity Adetokunbo Kayode made the remarks on Sunday during his meeting with Aminatou Haidar, president of the Saharawi Collective of Human Rights Defenders.     Kayode said the Nigerian government would mobilize other international human rights organizations to fight against those who try to "violate and frustrate the peace plan agreement by the United Nations to ensure that peace reigns in the Western Sahara."     Nigeria will "do everything possible to ensure that the rights to self determination in Western Sahara is respected," he said.     The minister called on the NLC to accelerate awareness campaign about the rights of the people in Western Sahara in Africa, adding that such steps would hasten the settlement of the conflicts in the region.     On her side, Haidar said Nigeria commands great respect in Africa and that such strength should be used for the liberation of others in the region.

by Deng Shasha