Brussels, 05/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Swedish Presidency has made the following declaration on behalf of the EU: "The EU condemns the flogging of an underage girl in Zamfara State, Nigeria, on January 19, sentenced under Zamfara State legislation. It is a violation of international human rights, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Nigeria is a signatory. It also contravenes Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which state that 'no one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment'. In this regard the EU welcomes the Federal Government's efforts to ascertain that Nigerian law is in compliance with international human rights covenants. The EU is encouraged by the peaceful and legal action taken by both Muslim and Christian human rights groups in Nigeria on these issues. The EU expresses its willingness to continue the dialogue that is taking place in the framework of its partnership with Nigeria, with a view to strengthen the existing processes in Nigeria towards a consolidation of democracy and the respect for human rights.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the EEA align themselves with this declaration."