SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF TO VISIT NIGERIA FROM 27 FEBRUARY TO 7 MARCH 2005

23 February 2005


The Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir, will visit Nigeria from 27 February to 7 March 2005 at the invitation of the Government.

During this visit, the Special Rapporteur will travel to Lagos, Abuja and other locations in Nigeria. She will meet with Government officials relevant to her activity as well as representatives of religious communities or communities of belief, of non governmental organizations and a number of individuals in a position to provide information on the situation of freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.

The visit takes place in accordance with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, which consists of helping to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief in the light of, inter alia, the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981).

Mrs. Jahangir was appointed Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in July 2004.

For further information, please contact Anthony Cardon, tel.: +41.22.917.98.27 or acardon@ohchr.org.





* *** *