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Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (456)

Carol Nolan

Question:

456. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government has taken through its role on the UN Security Council and by other means to address the high volume of violence against Christians in Nigeria in 2021 given that an organisation (details supplied) has reported that 3,462 Christians have been hacked to death since 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42643/21]

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Written answers

I am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Nigeria.  Conflict poses a serious challenge to that country’s stability, and impact on the wider region.

The particular acts of violence referred to are between nomadic herders and settled farmers.  While in Nigeria the vast majority of herders are Muslim and many of the farmers are Christian, conflict arises from differences of perspective regarding access to land.  This is exacerbated by climate change and by rapid population growth in Africa's most populous country, which has increased strain on resources.

Resource conflict such as that between herders and farmers also complicates the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian authorities to contain the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria and the wider region. Ireland supports international efforts to reduce its influence and to strengthen the protection of civilians.

The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja actively monitors developments in Nigeria and advocates for the protection of human rights, including the free expression of thought, conscience and religion.  Through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland provides humanitarian support those affected by conflict in Nigeria and the wider region. Ireland also provides funding to the Institute for Integrated Transitions, an NGO working in Nigeria, which has assisted in the establishment of an inter-ethnic and inter-religious committee on long term solutions to ethnic, religious, and resource based violence, including conflict between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders.

Ireland, bilaterally and as a Member State of the EU, works with the Nigerian authorities and with UN partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups and insecurity, including as an elected member of the UN Security Council.

As co-penholder on the Security Council file on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), together with Niger, Ireland’s key priority is to support and facilitate UNOWAS in its work on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in West Africa and the Sahel, and promoting democracy and human rights in the region. In its most recent Presidential Statement on this matter, on 17 August 2021, the Security Council strongly condemned continued attacks against civilians in the region, and expressed the need for accountability for human rights violations and abuses. The Council also recognised the adverse effects of climate change on security and stability in the region, and the need for long-term strategies to support stabilisation and build resilience.

The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja continues to closely follow developments in Nigeria in cooperation with government authorities, civil society organisations, and our EU and UN partners. The Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to continuing to provide much needed support to strengthening peace and security in the region.

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