I welcome His Excellency Chief Elias Nathan, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to our meeting. Ireland has enjoyed friendly relations with Nigeria for a long time and our connections are of long standing. We have had diplomatic relations since 1960. Members will also be aware that the European Union has strong ties with Nigeria through the Lomé and Cotonou agreements. The Cotonou partnership agreement covers a wide area of development co-operation, trade and political dialogue. Ireland has welcomed Nigeria's progress in democratisation but recognises the difficulties being faced by President Obasanjo, particularly in relation to economic decline and civil unrest within the country. I understand elections are due to take place in 2003. It is to be hoped the people of Nigeria will keep faith with democratic principles and know what is being worked for, through which the future development of the country will best be served. The European Union recognises these difficulties and has recommended funding for development under the country support strategy of the Cotonou agreement. The committee would strongly support such development.
I understand Nigeria has been beset with ethnic violence and religious tensions which during the years have claimed many lives. Ireland recognises the efforts made by the Obasanjo Government to bring a resolution to the conflict and investigate human rights violations. The establishment of the human rights steering and co-ordinating committees is seen as a positive step, both at an EU and Irish level, but you will be aware, ambassador, of the serious concerns expressed globally and recently by the EU Council of Ministers about the recent death sentence handed down, and affirmed on appeal, under Sharia law to a citizen of your country, Ms Amina Lawal. We understand the matter has now been referred to the Federal Supreme Court for adjudication and while I do not wish to comment on the right of any country to determine its own codes of law or morality, the sentence of death by stoning has shocked the world community.
There was a protest outside the Oireachtas yesterday about the question of female genital mutilation when some women made the case that they cannot return to Nigeria for fear of this. These are issues which genuinely concern parliamentarians. It is my sincere hope, therefore, the opportunity provided for you today to discuss the matter before the committee will allow you to report to your Government the deep concerns of the members of the committee and the Irish people. In this task I wish you every success.
We will be meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs under the new procedures for Oireachtas scrutiny in less than two weeks from now and may have the opportunity to speak to him before he attends the General Affairs Council, but I appreciate your attitude. As soon as you were invited, you agreed to come before the committee. That is a good step and I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome you. I invite you to address the committee following which we can open up the meeting to questions from members.