§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the number of Nigerians arrested but not tried since the general election last year.
§ Mr. BaldryWe do not have precise information on the large number of Nigerians detained without trial since the annulment of the presidential election last year. We believe that few detainees are currently being held, but those detained include well-known figures such as Chief Abiola and leaders of the National Democratic Coalition. With our European Union partners, we have appealed strongly to the Nigerian Government to respect the fundamental human rights of all their citizens.
§ Mr. BoyesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Nigeria.
§ Mr. BaldryWe are extremely concerned about the current situation in Nigeria. An early return to democratic civilian rule is essential for the political stability and economic prosperity of that country. We continue to follow developments closely with our European Union partners, and will maintain the measures that we announced with our European Union partners in 1993.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Shell about its record of environmental exploitation in the Ogoni rivers area of Nigeria; and what response he has had.
§ Mr. BaldryNo such representations have been made.