CAT/C/21/D/100/1997 page 6 6.3 The Committee must decide, pursuant to article 3, paragraph 1, whether there are substantial grounds for believing that the author would be in danger of being tortured if sent back to Nigeria. To do so, it must take account of all relevant considerations as called for by article 3, paragraph 2, including the existence of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights. The aim, however, is to determine whether the individual concerned would personally risk torture in the country to which he or she would return. It follows that the existence of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights in a country does not as such constitute sufficient grounds for determining whether the particular person would be in danger of being subjected to torture upon his return to that country; additional grounds must be adduced to show that the individual concerned would be personally at risk. Similarly, the absence of a consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights does not mean that a person cannot be considered to be in danger of being subjected to torture in his or her particular circumstances. 6.4 In the case in point, the Committee notes that the author has never been arrested or subjected to torture. Nor has the author claimed that persons in his immediate circle or individuals who participated in the events which according to him were the reason for his departure from the country were arrested or tortured. Furthermore, it has not been clearly established that the author continues to be sought by the Nigerian police or that the arrest warrant he furnished is an authentic document. Finally, the author has not cited specific cases of individuals alleged to have been tortured in Nigeria after being rejected by countries from which they had requested asylum. 6.5 The Committee notes with concern the numerous reports of human rights violations, including the use of torture, in Nigeria, but recalls that, for the purposes of article 3 of the Convention, the individual concerned must face a foreseeable, real and personal risk of being tortured in the country to which he is returned. In the light of the foregoing, the Committee deems that such a risk has not been established. 6.6 On the basis of the above considerations, the Committee considers that the information before it does not show substantial grounds for believing that the author runs a personal risk of being tortured if he is sent back to Nigeria. 7. The Committee against Torture, acting under article 22, paragraph 7, of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, concludes that the facts before it do not indicate a breach of article 3 of the Convention. [Done in English, French, Russian and Spanish, the French text being the original version.] -----