§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what are the time scale and objectives of the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria; [5039]
(2) what plans the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission has to meet (a) Moshood Abiola,(b) Olusegun Obasanjo and (c) Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti; [5036]
(3) which political prisoners the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria has requested meetings with; and what response it has received from the Nigerian Government; [5037]
(4) if the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission's meetings with Nigerian political prisoners will be attended by Nigerian Government representatives; [5038]
(5) what guarantees the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria has received regarding access to political prisoners; [5042]
(6) what discussions the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria plans to have with the Nigerian Government regarding (a) the restoration of democracy and (b) human rights in Nigeria. [5040]
§ Dr. Liam FoxThe Commonwealth ministerial action group will visit Nigeria on 19 and 20 November. The group has been tasked to assess Nigeria's adherence to the Harare principles of good governance and make recommendations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government on its suspension from the association.
The group has been working to encourage the Nigerian authorities to take immediate steps to improve human rights, including the release of political prisoners, and to restore accountable civilian government. It has also requested meetings with a wide range of people, including Chief Moshood Abiola.