NEWS RELEASES
CANADIAN DELEGATES DENIED VISAS FOR COMMONWEALTH MINISTERIAL ACTION GROUP MISSION TO NIGERIA
November 18, 1996 No. 212
CANADIAN DELEGATES DENIED VISAS FOR COMMONWEALTH
MINISTERIAL ACTION GROUP MISSION TO NIGERIA
In London today, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) Christine Stewart
regretted Nigeria's decision to deny visas for two members of the Canadian
delegation participating in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) visit
to Nigeria. As a result of this refusal, the Canadian delegation will not
participate in the mission.
"CMAG has a mandate from the Commonwealth to look into countries violating human
rights and democracy," said Mrs. Stewart. "Canada has been active from the
beginning, and we saw the current mission into Nigeria as being an important step
in getting some of the information needed to fulfil our mandate."
"I regret Nigeria's refusal to issue visas to the entire delegation to enable them
to participate in this particular mission," added Mrs. Stewart. "However, we
encouraged other CMAG members to go and we look forward to meeting again in
January to review the mission's report and carry on the group's work."
Canada is also working with other like-minded governments, as well as Canadian
NGOs and the business community, to facilitate progress in Nigeria.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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