§ 32. Mr. SavidgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress towards democracy in Nigeria. [20444]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe and our EU, Commonwealth and UN partners agree that there has been no real progress on restoration of democracy and respect of human rights in Nigeria.
190WOur concerns about the transition programme include the non-inclusive nature of the process; the introduction of a decree which has enabled the Head of State to remove duly elected local council representatives from their positions; and the fact that the new Constitution of Nigeria has yet to be published and distributed.
We also continue to have serious concerns about the application of the rule of law and adherence to acceptable standards of human rights, including the failure to release political prisoners and detainees, and the limitations of freedom of speech. Since early November several more journalists and human rights activists in Nigeria have been detained without charge, and only two have been released.