Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:273 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in restoration of stability, democracy and recognition of human rights in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/01]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
Since coming to power, President Obasanjo and his Government have made considerable progress in restoring stability, democracy and the recognition of human rights in Nigeria. The President's election in May 1999 was in itself an important step towards the full restoration of democracy in Nigeria after 15 years of military rule. President Obasanjo is personally committed to the promotion of democracy in Africa and has sought to revive the Nigerian economy and restore integrity and sound leadership to the country.
The Obasanjo Government has inherited an economy in disarray which has resulted in a standard of living lower than it was at the time of independence. High levels of unemployment have exacerbated the poverty in which a large proportion of the population now find themselves. The Nigerian Government has taken a number of important steps to promote stability by addressing the major problems of the economy, including in the areas of market reform, privatisation and the fight against corruption. Higher prices for oil on international markets have generated additional income for the restoration of essential services and infrastructure, and foreign reserves have more than doubled since mid-1998.
While recognising that challenges remain in a number of areas, the Irish Government considers that the human rights situation in Nigeria has improved since President Obasanjo came to power. One of his first acts upon becoming President was to set up a Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission to investigate human rights abuses perpetrated between 1966 and 1999, with the aim of promoting national reconciliation. The Obasanjo Government has also supported a number of initiatives in the area of penal reform to address human rights violations and to reduce the number of inmates in Nigeria's chronically underfunded and overcrowded prisons.
The Government welcomes the positive initiatives taken by the Nigerian Government to date and, together with our EU partners and other members of the international community, we will co-operate with the elected authorities to further promote economic stability and to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Question No. 274 answered with Question No. 242.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:275 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the detention in Cuba of two Slovak nationals; if either of those detained is or was a Member of Parliament; if the international community will intervene on their behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2577/01]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the arrest and detention on 12 January in Ciego de Avila in Cuba of Mr. Ivan Pilip, former Minister of Finance and currently a Member of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Jan Bubenik, a former member of the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly.
The arrest and detention of these two men has given rise to a great deal of international concern, which was compounded by the apparent delay by the Cuban authorities in allowing the diplomatic representatives of the Czech Republic to visit with the men, and in informing the Czech authorities of the accusations and charges against their citizens. I, in common with my EU colleagues, share the concern which has been expressed about the detention of two distinguished citizens of a state which is a candidate for EU accession. Following representations in Dublin and other EU capitals by the Czech authorities, this matter was raised with the Cuban authorities on 17 January by the EU Troika in Havana. It was subsequently decided that the Swedish EU Presidency should write to the Cuban Foreign Minister, Felipe Perez Roque, to express the concern of all EU member states regarding the case. In her letter of 19 January, Foreign Minister Lindh stressed our particular concern that the Cuban authorities should ensure that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations is respected and that the Czech Embassy is accorded its right to maintain contact with its detained citizens.
Questions Nos. 276 and 277 answered with Question No. 241.