Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 5

Written Answers - Human Rights Abuses.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

21 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether steps should be taken, under the aegis of the EU, to bring to an end the ongoing strife in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4344/98]

Dick Spring

Question:

42 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he is taking to obtain the release of Ogoni political detainees who are suffering from abuse of their human rights at the hands of the Nigerian government. [4321/98]

Monica Barnes

Question:

61 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the alleged human rights' abuses perpetrated against the Ogoni people by the Nigerian authorities. [4261/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 42 and 61 together.

The Government and its EU partners remain gravely concerned about continuing human rights abuses in Nigeria and the delays in the transition to democratic rule in that country. In our pursuit of these concerns, we are particularly focused on the continued plight of Ogoni and other political detainees and the unacceptable lack of due process in their cases. In the broader context of human rights in Nigeria, we attach particular significance to the handling of these cases. With our EU partners, the Government wishes to see the current pattern of political arrests brought to an end and all concerned treated with fairness and justice. It is our firm view that this can only be achieved with lasting effect in the context of an early restoration of full civilian government with full observance of human rights.

On 28 November 1987 the EU Council of Development Ministers expressed its grave concern at the numerous human rights violations in Nigeria, including the detention of political prisoners and at the delay in the process of democratisation. The Council also decided, with strong support from Ireland, to extend the EU's common position on Nigeria and its restrictive measures, until 1 November 1998. The extended EU restrictive measures include, inter alia, an arms embargo, the suspension of military co-operation, visa restrictions on members of the Nigerian military or government and their families, the suspension of all high level visits, and the interruption of sporting contacts.

In addition to extending these measures, the Council also provided that: after six months, namely, next May, the Union will assess, at Council level, the situation in Nigeria on the basis of a report from the Presidency; and, if elections fail to produce a return to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria before 1 October 1998, the UN will adopt further measures in addition to those adopted on 4 December 1995. It is evident from the outcome of the Council on 28 November that Ireland and our European partners are actively monitoring the situation in Nigeria pending the restoration of a credible civilian government and meaningful human rights reform. The consistently firm position being taken by the European Union is intended to keep the plight of Ogoni and other Nigerian political detainees to the fore. In taking this course of action we are also particularly concerned about the conduct of the national elections scheduled to be held in Nigeria in August and the approaching official deadline for democratic transition on 1 October. We are liaising closely with the Commonwealth, the United States and others who have adopted a similarly firm approach to human rights and democratisation issues in that country. We will be pursuing our concerns at this year's Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights which will review the work of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Nigeria, Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee. He been recently appointed as a direct result of a resolution successfully tabled at last year's session by the EU with strong support from Ireland.

These concerns were also reflected in an EU declaration issued following the arrest of General Diya and others on 21 December. The EU called on the Nigerian authorities to treat them in accordance with legal principles corresponding to international standards and stressed that the Union would not accept a repetition of the events of 1995 which led to the Ogoni executions. These developments and the situation in Ongoniland are being monitored closely by the Irish ambasador in Lagos. The Government will continue to support concerted international action which will lead to an early return to democracy and full respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.