Sir: Your leader 'Biafra and human rights' should be sent
to the 'experts' in Whitehall to read, because about two centuries ago, English humanists like William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp were pleading for the abolition of the slave trade because it was morally wrong. They were then thought of as extremists and radicals, who did not know what was good for their country. The then 'experts' in Whitehall advised on the continuation of the trade. They disliked the idea of paying £20 million in compensation to the slave owners. It was not until Denmark banned the slave trade in 1804, because it was uncivilised, that England also imposed a ban in 1807 on the human trade.
British historians who have written about Britain's ignominious role then have always argued that the English people were ignorant about the cruelties and deaths that resulted from the trade.
Today, in the same Oil Rivers, renamed Biafra, British guns and armoured cars are once again destroying the indigenous people. Today's British 'experts' fear that the Nigerians may expropriate about £200 million worth of British investments. Will it take another three Years before Britain follows the continental lead in banning arms and ammunitions supply to the Nigerians? Will the British historians claim once again, that the British people are ignorant of the carnage and destruction caused by the British supplied arms?
British humanists and writers who are preaching today the sort of ideology William Wilberforce and his friends preached over two centuries ago are once again regarded as ex- tremists and radicals, who are unaware of what is good for Britain.
History is repeating itself, right in front of our eyes now, and we pretend that we have not learnt anything from the past. The British government and people must remember that about 5,000 to 10,000 Biafrans are dying every day, because it is the British government's policy to keep Nigeria and Biafra one. 1968 is Human Rights Year.
Godfrey C. Okeke 4 Franconia Road, London SW4
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