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