Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 2

Written Answers. - Human Rights in Nigeria.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

90 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Nigeria; and if the Government will call for the release from prison of the duly elected president of that country, MKO Abiola. [13836/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

The Government remains deeply concerned about the situation in Nigeria and deplores the continuing human rights violations and the failure of the process of transition to civil rule. The death of General Abacha last Monday will inevitably be followed by some political change, although the extent of this cannot be forecast. We hope very much that his successor, General Abubakar, will fulfil General Abachas commitments with regard to ensuring a return to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria before 1 October 1998. The Government looks forward to the election of a civilian government which will not only restore democracy to the people of Nigeria but also significantly improve Nigerias standing internationally.

Recent developments gave rise to increased concern in recent weeks regarding the stability of the country. The adoption by the five registered political parties of General Abacha as their sole presidential candidate in April cast further doubts on the credibility of the process of transition to democracy. The conclusion drawn by Ireland and the EU was that the Nigerian people no longer had confidence in the process. Accordingly, at the Development Council on 18 May 1998, EU Ministers noted that there was no prospect of the Council lifting the sanctions imposed against Nigeria and emphasised that the European Union should focus attention on the need to build civil society and develop an alternative political culture in Nigeria. EU embargoes and restrictions on relations with Nigeria are set out in two EU Common Positions. However, the Council agreed in November 1997 that the EU would adopt further restrictive measures if elections failed to produce a return to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria before 1 October 1998. A group of experts is studying possible additional measures, in continuation of recent substantive discussions within the EU on its future relations with Nigeria.

With regard to Chief Moshood KO Abiola, victor in the 1993 presidential elections, Ireland has repeatedly joined in calls by the international community for his release, most recently in an EU declaration issued on 27 May 1998. In this declaration, the EU expressed its concern at the human rights situation in Nigeria and at a marked increase in the arbitrary arrest and harassment of human rights and pro-democracy activists and reiterated its call for the release of Chief Abiola and other political prisoners. Ireland also strongly supported the international community's call for the release of Chief Abiola and all other political prisoners, as set out in the Resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria adopted on 21 April 1998 at the 54th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

The Government will continue to support concerted international action aimed at achieving an early return to democratic government and full observance of human rights in Nigeria.