A/HRC/13/40/Add.1 P. Maldives 1. Communication sent on 20 November 2009 as a follow-up to the Special Rapporteur’s country visit to the Maldives in August 2006 180. In a follow-up letter of 20 November 2009, the Special Rapporteur reiterated her appreciation for the cooperation of the Government in relation to her visit to the Maldives from 6 to 10 August 2006. She emphasized that follow-up to country reports was of central importance to the cooperation and dialogue between mandate holders and States. Referring to her previous report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/10/8, para. 17), the Special Rapporteur indicated that the aim of such follow-up letters after country visits was to receive updated information about the implementation of the recommendations at the national level. 181. For ease of reference, the Special Rapporteur also transmitted a table containing the conclusions and recommendations in the related mission report (A/HRC/4/21/Add.3) as well as follow-up information from relevant United Nations documents, including from the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies. The Special Rapporteur asked the Government to provide her with updated information on the consideration given to these recommendations, the steps taken to implement them, and any constraints which may prevent their implementation. This table, including any information provided by the Government, is available online on the Special Rapporteur’s website (www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/visits.htm). Q. 1. (a) Nigeria Communication sent on 7 August 2009 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Allegations transmitted to the Government 182. The Special Rapporteurs brought to the attention of the Government information they had received regarding a number of extrajudicial executions allegedly committed by the Nigerian security forces during fighting in Northern Nigeria, including the killing of Mr. Mohammed Yusuf, Mr. Alhaji Buji Fai and eight unidentified persons in security force custody. 183. From 26 July 2009, members of a group called Boko Haram rioted and attacked police stations and other Government buildings as well as places of worship in the Northern Nigerian states of Bauchi, Yobe, Kano, and especially Borno. Reports suggest that Boko Haram sought to impose their interpretation of Shari’a law in Nigeria, and that they intended to threaten or attack individuals who did not agree with or observe Boko Haram’s interpretation of Shari’a. 184. Government security forces launched an operation to stop the group’s violent activities, and fighting between Boko Haram members and Government forces ensued for five days. By 3 August 2009, at least 780 bodies had been picked up from the streets of Maiduguri (Borno state) alone. Another 98 deaths were reported from Yobe and Bauchi states. The total number of dead is to date unclear, as is the number of dead who were Boko Haram members, police, military or civilians. 185. On 28 July 2009, three unidentified individuals – suspected Boko Haram members – were arrested by members of the security forces in Maiduguri. They were taken to an area just outside the police headquarters in Maiduguri, and ordered to kneel on the ground. They 45