Ray Burke
Question:135 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's and the EU's response to the continuation of human rights abuses committed against the Ogoni people in Nigeria. [18589/96]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses in Nigeria.
Both the Government and our EU partners continue to have serious concerns about the general human rights situation, including that in Ogoniland, and the pace and manner of the transition to democratic rule in Nigeria. Foreign Ministers of the European Union discussed these issues at the meeting of the General Affairs Council on 15-16 July. On that occasion we noted that there has been a number of potentially positive developments including the interim response of the Nigerian Government to the recommendations of the fact finding mission of the UN Secretary-General, the resumption of dialogue with the Commonwealth, the release of a number of political prisioners and the establishment of a commission on human rights. At the same time, however, we continued to have serious concerns and called on the Nigerian Government to expedite the process of transition to democracy and to ensure full respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Recalling the measures the Union had already taken in regard to Nigeria, particularly the common positions of 20 November and 4 December 1995 — the latter having been renewed for a further six months on 3 June 1996 — the Council stated its intention to continue its identification and examination of further measures, and to do so in consultation with other interested countries and bodies. The Council also undertook to keep developments in the country under close review, especially the examination of the cases of detainees and the issue of further releases of political prisoners. The Irish Presidency is actively engaged with EU partners and other interested parties in this ongoing process of consultation and close review which includes within its remit the human rights situation in Ogoniland and possible further Ogoni trials. On behalf of the EU, the Presidency made a further demarche to the Nigerian authorities in Abuja on 24 September about human rights and the pace and manner of the transition to democracy.