Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 8

Written Answers. - Human Rights in Nigeria.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

46 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 19 people from the Ogoni homeland in Nigeria are being held prisoner by the authorities in contravention of international conventions on human rights and that some of these persons have been subjected to torture according to Amnesty International; and if he will make strong protests to the Nigerian Government as well as through the EU and UN fora demanding these persons' release. [24208/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 20 of 11 December 1996 in which I outlined the current steps being taken by the EU to help bring about an early return to democratic rule and to full respect for human rights, including those of the 19 people mentioned and the rule of law in Nigeria. The Government and our EU partners will continue to monitor closely developments in this matter in the light of undertakings given by Nigeria to the UN and the Commonwealth and we will press for the presence of EU monitors at any relevant hearings.