Hanabusa Co-Sponsored Resolution On Nigeria Kidnappings Passes House
Press Release
By a voice vote on Tuesday, the House passed House Resolution 573, a bill cosponsored by U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), which condemns the abduction of female students in Nigeria by Boko Haram.
"These young women were kidnapped because they wanted to get an education," said Hanabusa, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "The ability to improve one's life through education is a basic human right that must be protected around the world. In particular, women who work to obtain an education should not have to live in fear, and it is an offense against human dignity that they would be made hostages to ignorance. We cannot stand by and allow these groups to use terror and the threat of violence to deny women the chance of a better future.
"That these young women were reportedly sold into marriage for $12 each should offend anyone who possesses a sense of decency and a concern for women anywhere. The students deserve our support, while the extremists have earned our condemnation.
"As an original cosponsor of this bill, I encourage the Nigerian government to strengthen its efforts to protect all of its people and ensure that those who commit violent crimes against innocent civilians are held accountable.
"We stand with the people of Nigeria and continue to call for the safe return of these students.
"My thoughts are with the students, their families, and those in Nigeria who continue to work to free these women and protect peace and security within their nation.
On April 14, as many as 276 girls between the ages of 15 and 18 were abducted by Boko Haram from their boarding school in the northeastern province of Borno. Three weeks later, 8 more girls were kidnapped. Most of the female students remain missing today.
H. Res. 573 also calls on the President to provide to Congress a comprehensive strategy to counter the growing threat of terrorism perpetrated by groups in West Africa, the Sahel and North Africa that are affiliated and associated with al-Qaida.
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