Vol. 533 No. 2
25 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the European Union Council of Ministers has taken any action in Nigeria with regard to the continual human rights violations as demonstrated in January 2001 by the inhumane punishment meted out to a young woman who had a sexual relationship outside of wedlock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/01]
The Government considers that the human rights situation in most parts of Nigeria has improved since President Obasanjo came to power in May 1999. However, the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in a number of states in northern Nigeria in the course of the year 2000 has exacerbated ethnic and religious tensions there.
Following the recent flogging of a 17-year-old girl, Bariya Magazu, in Zamfara state, the European Union issued a statement condemning the flogging as a violation of international human rights, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Nigeria is a signatory, Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which state that "no one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The statement welcomes the federal government's efforts to ascertain that Nigerian law is in compliance with international human rights covenants.
Together with our EU partners and other members of the international community, the Government will continue to encourage the elected authorities to strengthen further the protection of human rights in Nigeria, including the rights of women.
