A/RES/53/161 Page 3 12. Commends the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria for its important work, and encourages the Government of Nigeria to provide the Commission with adequate resources and to respect fully its independence; 13. Calls upon all States and the organizations of the United Nations system to support generously the ongoing transitional process in Nigeria, in particular the electoral process and the strengthening of national capacity in the field of human rights, and to respond positively to requests for technical assistance and advisory services; 14. Welcomes the decision of the European Union, the Commonwealth and the Government of the United States of America to start lifting sanctions on Nigeria in the light of the progress made towards the restoration of democratic government and respect for human rights; 15. Calls upon the Government of Nigeria to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Covenants on Human Rights2 and other human rights instruments in the implementation of the programme of transition and beyond; 16. Also calls upon the Government of Nigeria to follow up the recommendations contained in the interim report of the Special Rapporteur;7 17. Welcomes the invitation to visit the country extended to the Special Rapporteur; 18. Decides to continue its consideration of the situation of human rights in Nigeria with a view to concluding it at its fifty-fourth session in the light of further developments and relevant decisions of the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-fifth session. 85th plenary meeting 9 December1998