A/HRC/11/26* Mauritius requested Nigeria to (a) fast-track this process of accession to human rights instruments to which it is not party yet, wherever possible. Mauritius inquired on the challenges faced in domesticating CEDAW and on initiatives taken under the National Gender Policy 2007. 91. Slovakia recommended that (a) Nigeria officially declare a moratorium on executions with a view to abolish the death penalty in future. Regarding cases of impunity identified also by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions – Slovakia recommended that Nigeria (b) ensure that all perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to justice, including the law enforcement officials suspected of committing acts of torture and ill-treatment or extrajudicial executions and (c) that Nigeria take additional measures to improve the Nigerian criminal justice system. 92. India welcomed the approach adopted in the preparation of the National Report of Nigeria and welcomed its proposal to make it an annual event. India lauded Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles and values and its efforts towards strengthening democratic institutions, freedom of the press and involvement of civil society. India also noted with appreciation Nigeria’s achievements to meet the MDGs, in particular concerning education, enhancing enrolment ratio and achieving gender parity. 93. The Nigerian delegation stated that it has noted all the comments and criticisms, which have been made in good faith and assured that the government is going to work on them in order to improve the human rights situation in the country, although this task is a never-ending one. 94. The delegation indicated that the Sharia law only applies to Muslims and even then, only in the area of personal law, like succession and family issues. However, all Nigerians are under the criminal code which is secular and which in many ways is based on the British system. In that respect, Sharia law does not affect non-Muslims, except if a nonMuslim agrees in a business transaction to be bound by it. In addition, the delegation said that there is no discrimination towards non-Muslims. Muslims and non-Muslims have lived together amicably although some incidents may have happened due to economic reasons or because of political motivations. However, this does not translate into a clearly defined policy of discrimination against any ethnic group or religious group. 95. Regarding the Niger Delta Issue, the delegation highlighted that unrests were du to the neglect of the people that suffer from the activities related to the exploration of oil. Indeed, people were very unhappy because the companies did not carry out their community responsibilities to the satisfaction of the people. In the process of agitation the criminals took over, and the government condemned that people were being kidnapped, both foreigners and Nigerians, both adults and children. The Government had talks with armed people in that region and the government is trying to find out the arms providers. 96. The delegation indicated that there were only five women in the last National Assembly out of 109 members. This figure has doubled in the current Assembly. The same trend was observed in the House of Representatives. In addition there are 15 women Ministers and a government’s policy gives 30 per cent elective positions to women. Therefore, the delegation said that there were hopes that more women will be elected next time. 97. On the education of girls, the government is paying due attention and there has been an increase in the budget of health and education. In addition, MDGs regarding girls backs many governmental activities. 98. The delegation indicated that bills related to human rights will be given expeditious treatment, such as the National Human Rights Commission bill. In that regard, the government wants to make sure that this institution will be strengthened, notably through a GE.09-16312 17