Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Abduction of School Girls in Nigeria

Press Release

U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today introduced a resolution condemning the April 14 abduction of as many as 234 Nigerian school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram. While local officials have reported that several students were able to escape, nearly 200 of the abducted girls, most of them between 16 and 18 years old, remain missing, and news reports from the region indicate that the missing girls are possibly being sold as brides to Islamic militants for the equivalent of $12 each.

"Attacking and abducting young women simply for going to school is despicable and must never be tolerated," Senator Boxer said. "The international community must make clear that all children deserve the chance to pursue an education without fear and that those responsible for these heinous crimes will be held accountable." Senator Boxer chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy, and Global Women's Issues.

"I am extremely concerned by the kidnapping of 234 female students, 191 of whom are still missing, in northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram's abduction of these young women reminds us of the difficult obstacles women and girls face around the world every day in attaining the basic freedoms enjoyed by American women. This Senate resolution signifies the United States Congress's support for Nigerian people, especially the parents and families of these girls and others affected by Boko Haram's violence, and condemns the terrorist organization's vicious attacks on civilian targets," Senator Landrieu said. "The resolution also recognizes that the empowerment of women and girls is inextricably linked to the potential of countries to generate economic growth, sustainable democracy and inclusive security. When women and men have equal access to educational resources, economies flourish, families strengthen and societies move forward."

"The United States must continue to support initiatives increasing girls' and young women's ability to exercise their human rights," said Senator Inhofe. "Our bipartisan resolution insists Nigeria strengthens their efforts to protect their children's ability to obtain an education and hold Boko Haram accountable for their violent, extremist actions. I deplore the abduction of the 234 young female students from the Government Girls Secondary School in northeastern Nigeria, and am committed to working with my colleagues to end discrimination and violence against women in Nigeria and around the world."

"This heinous crime is an abomination and an affront to the civilized world," Senator Durbin said. "I am additionally horrified to learn of reports that, for mere act of seeking an education, the kidnapped girls are being sold into child marriage, a despicable practice that may rob them of their dignity, health, and freedom. We and our African allies should do what we can to help the Nigerian government rescue these innocent girls from the barbaric Boko Haram and return them swiftly to their families."

"The horrific kidnapping of more than 200 young women in Nigeria is appalling, and representative of a dangerous rise in religious extremism in the region," Senator Coons said. "As if this unconscionable event was not enough, it is gut-wrenching that Boko Haram sold many of these young women into marriages. The U.S. and the international community must work with the Nigerian government to ensure these girls are reunited with their families and deepen efforts to combat the growing threat posed by Boko Haram." Senator Coons chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs.

"This terrible act of brutality by Boko Haram in Nigeria must be condemned in the most forceful of terms. The targeting of civilians, including children, in places of refuge such as schools, churches and mosques, is abhorrent and unconscionable. We and our international partners must support Nigeria to hold the guilty parties accountable, prevent future tragedies from occurring, and address the underlying development challenges facing Nigeria," said Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

On the night of April 14, 2014, armed militants abducted as many as 234 female students from the Government Girls Secondary School located in the northeastern province of Borno, Nigeria. The abduction is thought to have been carried out by Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group that has targeted schools, mosques, churches, villages and agricultural centers in a campaign to create an Islamic state in northern Nigeria. According to the Brookings Institution, Boko Haram burned down or destroyed 50 schools and killed approximately 30 teachers in Nigeria last year alone.

The resolution urges the U.S. to assist in efforts to rescue the students. It also encourages the Nigerian government to "strengthen efforts to protect the ability of children to obtain an education and to hold those who conduct such violent attacks accountable."