Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 6

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Ray Burke

Question:

91 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, being made at international level to ensure the peaceful transition to civil rule in Nigeria, to establish a judicial system which complies with the standards of international law which must include reform of State Security (Detention of Persons) Decree No. 2, 1984, which allows for indefinite incommunicado detention without trial of political prisoners, and Federal Military Government (Supremacy and Enforcement of Powers) Decree No. 12, 1994, which prohibits legal challenge to any military decree or to any action which violates the human rights provisions of the Constitution, and to introduce a humane prison system which guarantees full respect for human rights. [2239/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to his similar Question No. 34 of 18 December and to a priority question on Nigeria on 11 December in which I outlined the Government's continuing concern about the situation in Nigeria and the ongoing process of consultation and close review we are pursuing with our European partners in our efforts to help bring about the early restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights and the rule of law in that country. As I have previously stated, this process is seeking to ensure reform of legal instruments such as those referred to by the Deputy and the early implementation of relevant undertakings given by the Nigerian authorities to the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other relevant bodies.