Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has welcomed the passing of a resolution by the European Parliament calling for an end to the recent outbreak of violence in Nigeria. The vote follows the outbreak of hostilities in the West African nation triggered by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which have reportedly claimed the lives of hundreds.

The resolution, passed by MEPs across the political spectrum, urges the Nigerian government to take measures to end the violence as quickly as possible, guaranteeing the security and protection of its population, and also calls on all religious and ethnic communities to exercise restraint and peaceful means to resolve differences.

Speaking after the vote, Jean, who formed part of the European Parliament Election Observation Mission to Nigeria last April for the Presidential elections, said: “The conduct of last year’s Presidential elections struck a cautious note of optimism for the future, and hinted at a new standard of democratic integrity for the nation.  The people of Nigeria do want a government fit for purpose – it is why millions stood in the sun for hours on end waiting to vote.  Obviously the Nigerian government needs to deal effectively with these attacks in order for people to live in peace, but it also needs to deal with the gross inequality, fuelled by corruption, faced by so many in Nigeria.

“This cannot be done without resources, a functioning state and active civil society.  The EU has made a commitment to Nigeria; we can demonstrate that through the introduction of the Transparency Directive and helping to track money held in EU banks, which rightfully belongs to the national purse.”

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Notes to Editor

1. The full resolution can be read here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P7-TA-2012-0090&language=EN&ring=B7-2012-0149