§ 18. Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to tackle the human rights abuses involved in Northern Nigeria states' use of Sharia law. [77180]
§ Mr. RammellIn September my noble Friend Baroness Amos, the Minister for Africa, raised with President Obasanjo HMG's concerns about the harsh sentences imposed under the Sharia penal codes. She 245W emphasised the strength of feeling against them in the UK and reiterated HMG's opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. The high commission, together with EU partners, regularly raises our concerns about the sentences with the appropriate authorities in Nigeria.