A/HRC/11/26* with regard to the implementation of these elements. Djibouti encouraged the Government of Nigeria to continue on achievements in the field of human rights. 79. Denmark commended the prohibition of torture and welcomed the accession to OPCAT but referred to allegations of torture and ill-treatment by the police and in prisons facilities.. Denmark inquired on measures taken for their prompt investigation. Denmark noted that with the introduction of the Sharia penal code in some states, conversion from Islam is seen as apostasy, and that individuals have been reportedly killed for their faith. Denmark recommended that Nigeria (a) step up its efforts to halt torture and ill-treatment as well as eradicating impunity for such acts and that alleged perpetrators be brought before justice, (b) establish an independent and effective national investigative mechanism, and (c) end discrimination against ethnic minorities to ensure that non-Muslims are not subjected to Sharia law and are able to practice their own religion without hindrance. 80. Malaysia welcomed the successful 2007 elections and Nigeria’s national agenda notably focused on development of human capital and rule of law. Malaysia encouraged Nigeria to (a) continue to focus on policy and programmes that would further strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights of its people, including by working closely with the relevant civil society organizations and NGOs. Malaysia was pleased with initiatives to combat trafficking of women and children and (b) would like to recommend that Nigeria consider strengthening the efforts in this area by cooperating closely with countries in the region. Malaysia (c) would also like to recommend that Nigeria consider taking more strenuous effort to improve the socio-economic conditions of women, in particular, in the areas of reproductive health care services, poverty eradication and access to economic resources such as credit and loan facilities. 81. Burkina Faso was pleased with Nigeria’s commitments to the promotion and protection of human rights, notably in the area of economic, social and cultural rights, and measures taken for vulnerable people, such as women, children and persons affected by HIV/AIDS. Burkina Faso encouraged Nigeria to continue its efforts and undertake measures to consolidate its institutions in the respect of democratic principles and human rights and that it was ready to cooperate in this area like others bilaterally or through ECOWAS. 82. Poland noted with concern recurrent incidents of inter-communal and inter-religious violence in the previous years notably in the Plateau State. Poland asked about actions taken to fight against religious intolerance, to ensure justice is done in this regard, and to prevent further incidents from happening. Poland recommended that Nigeria expand programmes of education on religious tolerance in schools and to monitor and protect the rights of religious minorities-promotion of the culture of religious tolerance should become the priority of the Federal, State and Local Governments. Poland was interested to learn more about the actions, taken or planned, to prevent discrimination of Non-Muslims in the northern States. 83. Ireland welcomed steps taken to combat FGM. In this regard, Ireland (a) supports the call by Nigeria’s National Consultative Forum encouraging the Nigerian government to undertake an awareness raising campaign about the practice of FGM. Ireland expressed concern that violence against women remains widespread and (b) recommended that Nigeria implement specific legislation to protect women against sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure that Nigerian women benefit from full equality before the law. Ireland expressed concern at allegations of torture and ill-treatment being routinely practiced and. recommended that Nigeria (c) fully implement the United Nations Convention against Torture, including by introducing national legislation prohibiting torture, and to ensure that ill-treatment in custody is not used as a substitute for proper criminal investigation of suspects. Ireland was very concerned at reported widespread GE.09-16312 15