91998E2089

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2089/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Release of Nigeria's President

What steps will the Council take to encourage the release of Chief Abiola, Nigeria's President elect, and ensure the forthcoming elections herald Nigeria's return to democracy?

Reply

(19 October 1998)

The Honourable Member will be aware that Chief Abiola has since died while still in custody in Nigeria on 7 July 1998. At his family's request and with the Nigerian government's agreement, an international team of forensic experts performed an autopsy to establish the cause of death. The conclusion of their final report was that Chief Abiola died of natural causes, although his imprisonment may have affected his health.

In a statement by the Presidency dated 18 September 1998, the European Union welcomed the recent developments in the situation in Nigeria. It views with particular appreciation the government's commitment to initiate a democratization process. In this connection, the European Union welcomes the creation of a new electoral Commission which has already adopted the guidelines for registering political parties and a detailed timetable for the electoral process the first stage of which, i.e. the prior registration of parties, has just been successfully concluded.

The European Union has encouraged the Nigerian government to continue its efforts to restore a democratic society, characterised by the observance of human rights and based on the rule of law. The EU will continue to further this aim by intensifying the political dialogue which has been started.

The European Union stresses its readiness to cooperate with all political forces committed to democratic principles and the rule of law, and to assist in the building of a civil society.