A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 Governor on 27 October 2009, but its findings have not been made public. The Abisoye Panel inquiry started sitting on 15 December 2009 and is ongoing in January 2010. 257. In summarizing some of the information received on lethal inter-communal violence in Plateau State the Special Rapporteurs described the attackers and the victims as “Muslim” or “Christian”. This does not imply that they believe religious tensions to be the main cause of the violence (see also the mission report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.2, para. 82). Indeed, the reports received indicate that economic and political tensions between the different ethnic groups living in Plateau State, and particularly the difference in rights and opportunities afforded to socalled “indigene” vis-à-vis the “non-indigene”, may be among the root causes of the violence. 258. The Special Rapporteurs sought from the Government information on the inquiries into the inter-communal clashes and their outcomes, on the measures taken to hold those responsible for killings accountable, and on the measures taken to prevent further outbreaks of deadly inter-communal violence in Plateau State. (b) No response received from the Government (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 259. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has so far not received a reply from the Government of Nigeria concerning the above mentioned allegations. He would further like to remind the Government that Human Rights Council resolution 6/37 urges States to “take all necessary and appropriate action, in conformity with international standards of human rights, to combat hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by intolerance based on religion or belief, as well as incitement to hostility and violence”. 260. The Special Rapporteur wishes to emphasize that commissions of inquiry may be a very appropriate measure in the case of inter-communal violence, however, they are not sufficient. Principle 18 of the Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions (“Prevention and Investigation Principles”) provides that “Governments shall ensure that persons identified by the investigation as having participated in extra-legal, arbitrary or summary executions in any territory under their jurisdiction are brought to justice.” The Special Rapporteur would like to recall in this regard the pertinent recommendations in his predecessor’s country report (see E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.2, para. 112): “With respect to religious tensions and communal violence, the Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that the obligation of the Government of Nigeria is first and foremost to ensure that justice is done promptly and properly. This obligation should include a full investigation of the violence that occurred, including the identification and prosecution of alleged perpetrators, allowing victims to file proper claims for the damage they have suffered, and recognizing their proper status as victims in trials as well as awarding them appropriate compensation.” 261. The Special Rapporteur would also like to refer to the statement of the SecretaryGeneral, who on 20 January 2010 appealed to all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to seek peaceful solutions to religious and other differences in the country. In particular, he called on all political and religious leaders in Nigeria to work together to address the underlying causes of the recurring sectarian violence in the country. 51