Resolution on Nigeria
Date: 1996-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Nigeria, dictatorship, government violence, sanction (EU)













EUR-Lex - 51996IP1256 - EN






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51996IP1256

Resolution on Nigeria  


Official Journal C 362 , 02/12/1996 P. 0261 





B4-1256, 1282, 1302, 1312 and 1323/96Resolution on NigeriaThe European Parliament,- having regard to its previous resolutions on Nigeria,A. outraged by the arrogant attitude of the Nigerian government and its defiance in the face of the appeals by the international community to restore democracy, independence, the judicial system, the rule of law and respect for human rights in the country,B. whereas two and a half years after the brutal interruption of the election process the military regime is still using violence as a means of retaining power, and whereas the continuing arrests of political figures and representatives of civil society are evidence of the anti-democratic and dictatorial nature of this military regime,C. having regard to the ineffectiveness of EU sanctions against Nigeria which have been provoked by the military regime's systematic violation of human rights and the principles of democracy,D. whereas the sanctions adopted by the Council in late 1995 expire on 4 December 1996,E. recalling the first anniversary of the execution of Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other environmental activists of Ogoniland, members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP); whereas the Nigerian authorities have banned demonstrations to mark this anniversary,F. whereas international oil companies are still operating in the Ogoniland despite human rights violations and environmental degradation,1. Reiterates its condemnation of the Nigerian regime which continues its brutal oppression of its opponents and all the democratic forces of the country;2. Honours the memory of Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other opponents of the Nigerian regime;3. Urges the Nigerian authorities to release all political prisoners immediately;4. Notes that the present sanctions imposed by the EU in relation to Nigeria have not really been effective and believes that further measures should be adopted by the General Affairs Council at its meeting on 25 and 26 November 1996, such as extending the ban on arms exports to contracts signed before the current embargo came into force, and measures necessary to freeze the financial assets of the Nigerian Government, the members of the Provisional Ruling Council and the Federal Executive Council;5. Insists that an international oil embargo is the most efficient instrument to deprive the military junta of its main source of income and oblige the Nigerian authorities to restore democracy;6. Asks the Member States of the EU to grant refugee status to exiled Nigerian opposition activists opposing the military regime of General Abasha, in accordance with the Geneva Convention on the status of refugees;7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Security Council of the United Nations, the OAU, the joint Presidents of the ACP/EU Joint Assembly and the Government of Nigeria.