Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Nigerian counterpart on alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian military; and if he will make a statement.

The Government has made clear to the Nigerian authorities, at all levels, that whilst we support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, we do not condone human rights violations. We have urged Nigeria to respond constructively to credible reports of human rights violations and to launch independent investigations. During his meeting with the Nigerian Foreign Minister in Abuja on 3 September, my Hon Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge MP), the Minister for Africa, underlined the importance we attach to the respect for human rights and the safeguarding of the civilian population.