Written answers

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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217. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the response to police brutality in Nigeria and the recent shooting of peaceful protesters there and the operations of the so called SARS section of the police; his plans to speak to embassy officials here to convey the opposition of the Government to recent events; if he will raise the abuse of human rights in Nigeria with his European counterparts at the first opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40968/20]

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to peaceful demonstration.

The #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, which took place in a number of cities including Abuja and Lagos, were in reaction to allegations of excessive use of force and other abuses committed by a unit of the Nigerian police, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit. While the protests were largely peaceful, there were credible allegations of the use of excessive force against protesters.

Of particular concern were reports that armed personnel in military-style attire fired live rounds towards a group of protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos on 20 October, causing numerous casualties. The Nigerian army has denied using live ammunition against civilians. An investigation of these events is currently ongoing in Nigeria.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced on 12 October that the SARS police unit would be disbanded, which had been one of the main requests made by protesters. In an address to the nation on 22 October, President Buhari set out a number of steps his Government intends to take, including: the establishment of State Judicial Panels of inquiry; the establishment of human rights complaint mechanisms; and the establishment of a fund for the compensation of victims. Work has begun on these potentially significant measures, which have helped calm the situation.

The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has formed an Independent Investigative Panel to investigate allegations of abuse against the now-disbanded SARS police unit. Work by the Panel, which includes civil society and youth representatives, is currently ongoing.

Ireland, together with the European Union, believes that it is essential that the allegations of violence against the #EndSARs protesters are investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice. In response to the reports of violence against protesters in Nigeria, the EU High Representative Vice President, Josep Borrell, swiftly issued a statement on behalf of the EU condemning the violence and calling for the allegations to be thoroughly investigated and that those responsible be held to account.

Ireland has also engaged in discussions regarding the situation in Nigeria among EU partners in Brussels. On the 18 November a Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue was held that addressed the #EndSARs protests at the highest level. Through this Dialogue, the EU expressed its concern and condolences for the casualties and stressed the importance of bringing perpetrators of violence to justice. In a Joint Statement to the Dialogue, both the EU and Nigeria acknowledged the importance of delivering on genuine reforms, including of the police, through a process characterised by engagement of all stakeholders, local ownership, transparency and accountability.

That meeting acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian Government inaddressing the #EndSARS movement demands, including the setting up of independent bodies to investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings, with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units.

The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja continues to monitor developments actively on the ground and, working closely with our EU partners, to engage with the Nigerian authorities.

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