Vol. 478 No. 5
14 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the further representations, if any, which have been made by the EU to the Nigerian authorities in relation to the continuing human rights abuses in that country; the plans, if any, there are to extend the sanctions against Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/97]
The Government and our EU partners continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Nigeria and the pace and manner of the transition to democratic rule there. Both bilaterally and with our European partners, we have consistently expressed our serious concern to the Nigerian authorities about human rights violations. The Government strongly supported the restrictive measures against Nigeria adopted by the EU in its Common Positions of 20 November and 4 December 1995. We have also fully supported the subsequent retention of the common position measures, which were extended during the Irish Presidency for a futher six months until 4 June next. The Government will advocate their further retention as a measure of our continuing concern about the many unresolved human rights and democratisation issues in Nigeria, including the situation in Ogoniland and the charges of treason brought by the authorities against Wole Soyinka and others.
At this month's 53rd session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the EU initiated a resolution on the human rights situation in Nigeria.This was adopted on 15 April. The Government strongly supported this important resolution which provides, inter alia, for the appointment of a special rapporteur on the human rights situation in that country. The provision sends a strong message from the international community to the Nigerian authorities and is a direct response by the Union and like-minded states to their failure to co-operate fully with the UN's respective thematic rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitary executions, and on the independence of judges and lawyers. The resolution, inter alia, calls on the Nigerian Government to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under international and other human rights instruments; to ensure that all trials are held fairly and promptly in strict conformity with international human rights standards and to take concrete steps to restore democratic government without delay. The Government strongly urges the Nigerian authorities to co-operate fully with the proposed special rapporteur when appointed.
At the General Affairs Council which I chaired last July, it was agreed that the Union would continue to identify and examine further measures that could be taken against Nigeria and to keep developments in the country under close review, in consultation with other interested countries and bodies. Both as Presidency and currently as a member of the Troika, we have been actively engaged with the EU and other interested parties in this ongoing process of consultation and close review.
The Government will continue to work, both bilaterally and with our European partners, for the early restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.
