Human Rights and Aid For Africa: Justice Denied

This month’s summit of G8 leaders has put the issue of aid for Africa firmly at the top of the international agenda. Musician and campaigner Bob Geldof is orchestrating a series of concerts to highlight the plight of those in real need. But there has been far less attention to where the money would be spent and whether it might sometimes seem to support practices that should be condemned as inhuman and degrading.

The World Today Published 1 July 2005 Updated 15 October 2020 4 minute READ

Sonya Maldar

Researcher, African division of Human Rights Watch

As the G8 leaders meet in Gleneagles, Scotland, all eyes are on Prime Minister Tony Blair as he canvasses support for increased aid and debt relief. The prime minister has called this a ‘real moment of opportunity’ to promote democracy and growth throughout Africa.

In Nigeria, one of Britain’s key allies on the continent, the Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn said in May, ‘What happens in Nigeria is crucial for the future of Africa as a whole.’ He went on to announce backing for President Olusegun Obasanjo’s quest for debt relief. Nigeria owes almost $36 billion to the Paris Club of creditor nations and Britain’s support will be crucial in persuading others to agree to end payments.

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