WRITTEN QUESTION E-1380/01 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Human rights situation in Nigeria.
Date: 2001-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Islam, Nigeria, cooperation policy, economic development, human rights, political situation

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/95

adopted by the CCAMLR for the 2000/2001 season have already been incorporated into legislation
through Council Regulation (EC) No 2848/2000 of 15 December 2000 fixing for 2001 fishing
opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in
Community waters and, for Community vessels, waters where limitations in catch are required (4).

The Honourable Member also asks about the Community(cid:146)s position vis-(cid:224)-vis the 21-23 May 2001 meeting
of the ICCAT Working Party on Allocation Criteria. At its meeting on 25 April the Council adopted
a common position (5), on the basis of which the Community will make a constructive contribution to the
discussion at the ICCAT Working Party.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.
(2) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.
(3) OJ C 62 E, 27.2.2001.
(4) OJ L 334, 30.12.2000.
(5) SN 2545/01 (Fisheries).

(2001/C 364 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1380/01

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 May 2001)

Subject: Human rights situation in Nigeria

Some states in northern Nigeria have adopted Islamic religious law (the Sharia). This has led to serious
unrest and violence in which thousands of civilians died last year. There is a real possibility of civil war
and of unrest spreading to the whole continent. Nigeria(cid:146)s political
leaders do not seem aware of the
seriousness of the country(cid:146)s political situation when they try to encourage international inward investment.
It seems that at present the EU is the only actor on the international scene strong enough to persuade
Nigeria(cid:146)s political leaders to tackle this problem decisively, and seek a solution.

What does the EU intend to do to remedy the serious situation in Nigeria?

Does the EU intend to take the situation in Nigeria into account in its policies on business, investments
and trade?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2001)

The adoption of Islamic religious law (Sharia) has led to serious ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria and
the question of Sharia may lead to further unrest and political agitation. Sharia is popular in certain states
(predominantly in the North) and has been used as a political tool in the absence of social and economic
programmes to improve the living standards of the population. It is certainly part of a wider political
power struggle between different areas of the country (mostly over resource control and allocation).
President Obasanjo has denounced punishments such as amputation as a violation of Nigeria(cid:146)s constitution
and of human rights but is avoiding a legal challenge to Sharia as this would certainly lead to an increased
risk of conflict. He is currently seeking a political solution by a low-key approach.

It should, however, be noted that full Sharia exists in a relatively few states in the Federation and seems
unlikely to be a catalyst for potential civil war as opposed to limited civil unrest. It is one of several factors
affecting the stability of Nigeria. There are no signs that the issue of Sharia itself will have spill over effects
affecting either the region or the whole continent.

Nigeria is keen to attract international investment and their efforts to do so should be both encouraged
and assisted. They have made significant advances in a relatively short time but the legacy of military rule
means that economic systems and practices have to be completely revamped. The signing of a Stand-by

C 364 E/96

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year shows their commitment to economic
reform and the wish to establish a satisfactory economic policy record. This is, however a lengthy process
and confidence for investment will increase in Nigerian only when results become clearer. This is why the
Union and other international organisations attempt to take a long-term perspective as opposed to short-
term measures, which are likely to be ineffective. There have been too many false starts in Nigeria.

In the light of the Cotonou Agreement, the Community is seeking to address business, investment, trade
and developmental issues in Nigeria. Obviously Sharia is one of the factors in this equation and Union
concerns for the human rights situation is part of this dialogue but this must be taken forward in a sensible
way due to the extreme political sensitivity of the matter.

The Union has, via a declaration by the Presidency (30 January, 2001) called upon the government to
respect international human rights covenants and reaffirmed its willingness to support the consolidation of
democracy and respect for human rights. This support is planned to be part of future assistance to
Nigeria particularly via the strengthening of civil society.

(2001/C 364 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1386/01

by Guido Podest(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Council

(7 May 2001)

Subject: Escalation of violence in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The spiral of violence which has been triggered in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by
Albanian extremists is jeopardising the stability of the country, to the extent that there is talk of a new
(cid:145)powder keg(cid:146) in the Balkans. The fears unleashed by the Albanian minority(cid:146)s demands are linked not so
much to the call for autonomy as to the creation of a (cid:145)Greater Albania(cid:146) which would lead to the outbreak
of a further conflict in the Balkans.

In both social and economic terms, FYROM has suffered greatly as a consequence of the war in Serbia and
has taken in many Albanian refugees from Kosovo.

The recent signing by Macedonia and the EU of a stability and association agreement is a reaffirmation of
the EU(cid:146)s support for Macedonia as it gradually aligns itself with the Union.

What steps is the Council planning to take in order to make Macedonia(cid:146)s borders more secure and to
prevent the infiltration of Albanian weapons and guerrilla fighters?

What action does the EU intend to take in association with its international partners in order to remedy
this state of affairs before it degenerates?

Is the Council thinking of calling on the UN Security Council to issue an additional mandate to K-FOR in
Macedonia, so that the security forces are not required to restrict their activities to border checks but may
be allowed to intervene under the mandate which may be conferred upon them and in line with what the
European Parliament(cid:146)s President Nicole Fontaine called for in her opening speech at the Stockholm
European Council?

Reply

(27 September 2001)

The Council is seriously concerned about the level of tension and violence (cid:129) which the EU has repeatedly
condemned in the firmest terms (cid:129) in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. These incidents are
a dangerous provocation from ethnic Albanian extremists aimed at drawing the government of FYROM
into the spiral of a full-scale conflict.