Tuesday, January 20, 2015

UN To Boko Haram: Release Chibok Girls Immediately


The UN Security Council in session (Photo: jihadwatch.org)

Reaffirms sect’s Al Qaeda sanction list

Condemns rising attacks

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday asked the Boko Haram sect to release immediately and unconditionally the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in April last year and other unknown persons currently in the sect’s captivity.

The Nation reports the Council also reaffirmed its decision to place Boko Haram on the Al-Qaeda sanctions list. The Security Council, according to a statement issued by the National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre in Lagos, Oluseyi Soremekun, condemned the recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of Borno and Yobe States.

It also frowned at the increasing attacks in the Lake Chad Basin region along Nigeria’s borders with Chad and Cameroon and in the northern provinces of Cameroon.

There had been escalation in attacks by Boko Haram, in Maiduguri, Baga (Borno State) and Potiskum, Yobe State, involving children coerced by the sect to act as suicide bombers.

The attacks had resulted in the massive destruction of civilian homes and significant civilian casualties.

The Council, according to the statement, reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

It insisted that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.

The statement reads:

“The Security Council expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its sympathy to all those injured in these attacks, and to the people and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the people and Governments of other affected countries.

“The Security Council strongly condemns and deplores all abuses of human rights and where applicable, violations of international humanitarian law by the terrorist group Boko Haram, since 2009, including those involving violence against civilian populations, notably women and children, kidnappings, killings, hostage-taking, pillaging, rape, sexual slavery and other sexual violence, recruitment of children and destruction of civilian property.

“The Security Council expresses serious concern over the reported violations and abuses of human rights and large-scale displacements of civilian population, including into Nigeria’s neighbouring countries. The Council recalls its decision to place Boko Haram on the A1-Qaida sanctions list.

“The Security Council demands that Boko Haram immediately and unequivocally cease all hostilities and all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law and disarm and demobilize.

“The Security Council demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted who remain in captivity, including the 276 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Bomo State in April 2014. The Security Council recognizes that some of such acts may amount to crimes against humanity and stresses that those responsible for all abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

“The Security Council reiterates the primary responsibility of Member States to protect civilian populations on their territories, in accordance with their obligations under international law.
“The Security Council expresses its concern at the scale of the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the activities of Boko Haram, which has resulted in the large-scale displacement of Nigerians within the country and into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The Security Council, in this regard, commends the support provided to the refugees by the Governments of the said countries, including with the assistance of humanitarian actors and relevant United Nations entities, and calls on the international community to provide its support in areas which require urgent attention.”

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