Starmer urged to tackle human rights abuses with Nigerian president on state visit

"Fabian Hamilton, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights, has written to Sir Keir Starmer warning that he has a moral responsibility to raise concerns about democracy and human rights with President Tinubu. The Nigerian leader, whose state visit started on Wednesday, was set to meet the prime minister in Downing Street after being welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle where the monarch hosted a state banquet."

"Mr Hamilton and other MPs on the human rights APPG have expressed their fears over increasing concern that Nigeria risks a period of democratic backsliding. The letter calls on the government to outline what representations it will make regarding human rights issues during the state visit."

Fabian Hamilton, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights, has led political opposition to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's state visit to the UK. Hamilton wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asserting the government has a moral responsibility to raise democracy and human rights concerns with President Tinubu. The visit, Nigeria's first presidential state visit in 37 years, includes meetings with the Prime Minister and a state banquet hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle. Hamilton and other MPs express concerns about democratic backsliding in Nigeria, a nation of 230 million people experiencing continued upheaval. The letter requests the government outline what representations will be made regarding human rights issues.

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