WRITTEN QUESTION E-3054/01 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council. Sectarian riots in Nigeria.
Date: 2001-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Nigeria, democratisation, homicide, human rights, institutional reform, religious group, sustainable development, the EU's international role

C 147 E/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

At the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention on 5 December 2001,
the Union reaffirmed the universality of the Convention and emphasised that there can be no ambiguity
about the fact that international humanitarian law must be respected by all the parties involved in an
armed conflict.

(2002/C 147 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3054/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Sectarian riots in Nigeria

In the wake of the American air raids on Afghanistan at least 200 persons have been killed over the last
few days in sectarian riots in northern Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are leaving the region owing to the
activities of gangs of Muslim fighters.

What measures does the Council intend to take to help put an end to these sectarian killings of civilians?
Does it intend to assist the Nigerian Government to address the current crisis and to give humanitarian aid
to the civilians who are forced to abandon their homes?

Reply

(18 March 2002)

The Council is greatly concerned over the recent killings in northern Nigeria. In its view, a global approach
is needed if a lasting solution is to be found for the social, ethnic and religious clashes which are a
frequent occurrence in that country. The Council has, therefore, adopted a common position on Nigeria (1)
whereby the European Union will support action aimed particularly at consolidating democracy and
institutional reform and sustainable economic and social
respect for human rights, reducing poverty,
development. The EU also maintains a close and regular political dialogue with Nigeria. The EU Heads of
Mission, who are primarily responsible for the conduct of such dialogue, will raise the question of the
recent killings in northern Nigeria and the reaction of the security forces at their next meeting with the
Nigerian authorities.

(1) Common position 2001/373/PESC, OJ L 132, 15.5.2001.

(2002/C 147 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/01

by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) and Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Request for extension of the deadline for completion of multi-regional operational programmes

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 (1) and subsequent decisions relating to it are about to expire, and
the benefits deriving from the Regulation will come to an end as of 31 December 2001. In the context of
the Community support framework concerning Objective 1 regions for the period 1994-1999, the Italian
Ministry for Agricultural and Forestry Policy is responsible for programming and managing two multi-
regional operational programmes. The implementation of the two programmes, the completion of which is
of vital strategic importance for Italy, has been subject to substantial delays because of unforeseen
problems emerging over the years (slow bureaucratic procedures, the BSE crisis and foot-and-mouth, the
demoralisation of farmers, the slowness of markets, etc.). For these reasons the Ministry has requested an
extension of the time limit for the completion of the programmes.