MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria
2.7.2013 - (2013/2691(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Judith Sargentini, Barbara Lochbihler, Ulrike Lunacek, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Jean Lambert, Raül Romeva i Rueda on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0344/2013
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 122 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Concerned by recent attacks launched by the Boko Haram group, a radical Islamist group, against schools, particularly in Borno State, northern Nigeria, which have forced several thousands of school children out of formal education,
B. Whereas in response to the Bako Haram violence in Borono States, the Nigerian military forces have carried out attacks against the Boko Haram bases, which has also resulted in indiscriminate killing of the civilians,
C. Whereas the growing unrest in the Sahel region over the past few years has been further exacerbated by the presence drug traffickers and terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda Maghreb, Boko Haram ,
D. Whereas the Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed a bill on the Same Sex Marriage, (Prohibition) which would impose a prison sentence of up to 14 years for anyone found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships.
E. Whereas human rights organisation documented the involvement of Boko Harm Islamist group attacks several public and private institutions and buildings,
F. Whereas thousands have died in religious and ethnic violence in Nigeria over the past ten years as religious and ethnic tensions have frequently been strained in Nigeria,
G. Whereas inter religious or interethnic violence, which usually provokes emotional escalation of conflicts with loss of innocent people's life, without addressing the route cause of the conflict
H. Whereas the problems in the North stem from a lack of economic development and the tension is rooted in decades of resentment between indigenous groups, mostly Christians or animist, trying for control of fertile farmlands with migrants and settlers from the Hausa-speaking Muslim north and that the conflicts are being exacerbated by climate change and encroaching desert
I. Whereas peaceful resolution of conflicts implies respect for human rights, access to justice, end of impunity as well as fair access to resources and redistribution of revenues in an oil rich country such as Nigeria.
J. Whereas the instability underscores the fragility of Africa's most populous and resource rich country,
1. Strongly condemns the violence, which engulfed Nigeria and expresses its concern about the ongoing tensions in which communities have been actors and victims;
2. Calls upon the Nigerian government to protect its population and avoid by all means further attacks or reprisal killings,
3. Emphasises the importance of an independent, impartial and accessible judiciary system to put an end to impunity, to enhance respect for rule of law and fundamental rights of the population,
4. Calls for an independent investigation of human rights violation and calls to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards for fair trial;
5. Urges the Nigerian government to work for a peaceful solution by addressing the route cause of the conflict, which implies fair access to resources, ensuring sustainable development of the regions and redistribution of wealth, guarantying the basic human rights,
6. Calls on all members of the ECOWAS to take all necessary measures to stop the proliferation of arms and drug trafficking and dismantle organised crimes , which destabilise the whole region by taking measures such as controlling arms and drug trafficking, securing national borders across the region,
7. Calls on the president of Nigeria not sign the current legislation passed by the house of representatives, criminalizing homosexuality, which would put LGBT people—both Nigerian nationals and foreigners—at serious risk of violence and arrest;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of Nigeria, the African Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the PAN-African Parliament (PAP).