The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights violations in Nigeria,

–   having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, ratified by Nigeria on 29 October 1993,

–   having regard to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights of 1981, ratified by Nigeria on 22 June 1983,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 7 March 2010 some 200 people including women, children and the elderly were slaughtered in Central Nigeria, tragically adding to the thousands who have died in the past decade because of ethnic, religious and political tensions.

B.  Whereas a Red Cross official said at least two other nearby communities were also targeted, in an area close to where sectarian clashes killed hundreds of people in January.

C. Whereas the Red Cross is reporting that as a consequence of this violence at least 5600 people are leaving the area in fear of their lives and it has been reported hundreds of people are still unaccounted for.

D. Whereas 98 people have been arrested for inciting the violence with President Jonathan promising new measures to stop weapons and fighters infiltrating the region.

E.  Whereas the problems in the area of Jos stem from a lack of economic development and the tension is rooted in decades of resentment between indigenous groups, mostly Christians or animist, vying for control of fertile farmlands with migrants and settlers from the Hausa-speaking Muslim north,

F.  Whereas the instability underscores the fragility of Africa's most populous nation as it approaches the campaign period for 2011 elections with uncertainty over political leadership,

1.  Strongly condemns violence in Central Nigeria and expresses its concern about the ongoing ethnic, religious and political tensions as a result of which thousands of people continue to suffer.

2.  Calls on the Nigerian authorities to act swiftly to protect civilians of all ethnicities at risk of further attacks or reprisal killings by conducting regular patrols throughout the region. Calls for those forced to flee as a result of the massacre be allowed to return safely to their homes.

3.  Urges the authorities to work for a peaceful solution and calls upon the Nigerian government to protect its population and to address the root causes of the violence by ensuring equal rights to all citizens and addressing problems of unemployment and poverty.

4.  Calls upon the Nigerian government to urgently investigate the massacres and stresses that all perpetrators must be brought to justice in a fair and transparent manner.

5.  Expresses its willingness to continue the dialogue that is taking place in the framework of its partnership with Nigeria, with view to strengthen the ongoing processes in this country towards a consolidation of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rights of minorities;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the governments of Nigeria, the institutions of the African Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, the United Nations General Assembly, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the PAN-African Parliament (PAP), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).