Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
90 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the loss of the benefits of their natural resources, and particularly oil, by the Nigerian people, the reported increase in poverty at a time of increasing oil revenues and the documented concern regarding human rights in areas of oil production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30075/04]
View answer91 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recently published Amnesty International report on human rights in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30031/04]
View answer142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in regard to democracy and human rights in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30684/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91 and 142 together.
The Amnesty International report, Nigeria: Are human rights in the pipeline?, refers to the situation in the Niger Delta region. The report contains an overview of the human rights situation of individuals and communities in a region, heavily dependent on its natural resource of oil and where there is a heavy presence of multinational corporations. Amnesty International also examines the role of the Nigerian Federal Government in the region. Amnesty International points to grievances against the federal government and multinational corporations as one of the reasons for continued violence in the region. In the report, Amnesty International urges the Nigerian Government to ensure that all law enforcement agencies respect human rights; that environmental protection legislation is put in place and enforced; and that mechanisms of redress of violations of both civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights are in place.
Recently, developments in the Niger Delta, which produces most of the approximately 2.5 million barrels of crude oil exported from Nigeria on a daily basis, led to warnings in the international media that long-standing tensions in the region could escalate into widespread violent unrest and disrupt the Nigerian oil and gas production. The revenues generated by the activities of multinational oil and gas companies, operating in the Niger Delta in joint ventures with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, account for roughly 85% of the Federal Government revenues. Unfortunately, the enormous generation of wealth in the region is accompanied by structural socio-economic underdevelopment, few educational and employment opportunities, and violence and insecurity.
The situation in the Niger Delta region is a complex one as it is an area with much inter-tribal violence, criminality and siphoning of oil. Local governance issues also need to be resolved. The Nigerian Federal Government has taken a positive approach in its attempts to resolve the issues in the region, by increasing funding to local governmental institutions and promoting transparency and increased environmental protection. Unfortunately, problems with local governance persist.
The regional security situation again deteriorated on 28 September last, when the Niger Delta Peoples' Volunteer Force warned all foreign oil workers to leave their production facilities by 1 October or risk attack. Following talks, an understanding was reached between the militias and the Nigerian Federal Government on 4 October, with the government promising further talks as well as structural development. The unrest subsided but rivalry between groups continues.
The Government remains concerned by the situation in Nigeria. EU embassies in Nigeria visited the region last month to speak to the government, politicians and other local actors there, including the oil industry. They expressed our deep concern regarding the situation and the urgent need to promote human rights and sustainable development in the area. Together with our EU partners we have agreed to continue to monitor the situation in the Niger Delta and to discuss further with the Nigerian Federal and State Governments, ways in which the local communities can be assured that their rights will be safeguarded and that they will benefit from the great resources of the region.
Nigeria is the most populous democracy in Africa but 70% of the population live below the poverty line. The high turnout and largely peaceful conduct of the elections held in 2003 marked a further important step towards the consolidation of that democracy. However, there is still some way to go. An EU election observation mission, including two Irish observers, monitored the presidential, parliamentary and other elections and regrettably noted some grave irregularities in the voting processes in some states. On 14 May 2003, the EU issued a declaration on the elections which expressed concern at the findings of the observation mission and which urged President Obasanjo to use his mandate to improve the quality of democracy and accountability in Nigeria.
In 2002, the EU adopted a Common Position on Nigeria, which was updated by Council Conclusions approved last November. A key element of the EU's position is to maintain a constructive and regular political dialogue with Nigeria. The Irish Presidency of the EU was the first to initiate EU-Nigeria political dialogue at ministerial level. The former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt, led an EU Troika which addressed a range of issues including peace and security, governance and development matters. Ireland acknowledges and appreciates the strong leadership role President Obasanjo has played, not only in defusing recent tensions in his own country, but in facilitating the peace process in Liberia and the ongoing peace talks in Abuja on Darfur under Nigeria's current chairmanship of the African Union. Ireland and the EU continue to support and encourage Nigeria's transition to democracy and look forward to maintaining our strong relationship with a most important partner in Africa.
