Vol. 490 No. 1
42 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions, if any, he has taken to curb human rights abuses in Nigeria; his contributions in the European Union on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9715/98]
The Government remains gravely concerned at continuing human rights abuses in Nigeria. Both bilaterally and together with our European Union partners, the Government has availed of every appropriate opportunity to convey its concerns about an early return to democracy and full respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. These concerns have been conveyed both directly to the Nigerian authorities and at the UN and other appropriate fora. Along with our European Union partners, we have also repeatedly expressed our willingness to engage in a dialogue with the Nigerian Government on these matters. However, there has been no response to date to such offers, in terms of a concrete dialogue. In the absence of such a framework for dialogue, the Government will continue to support strongly concerted international action which will lead to an early return to democratic government and full observance of human rights in Nigeria.
Most recently, the Government supported the Resolution on Nigeria which was adopted by the Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 1998. This Resolution expresses deep concern at continuing grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria and calls upon the Government of Nigeria to ensure urgently the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including by respecting the right to life, by releasing all political prisoners, by guaranteeing freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and association and by respecting the rights of individuals, including persons belonging to minorities.
