UN Committee marks one month since abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigeria, urging their release, warning of consequences
GENEVA (14 May 2014) - The Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women on Wednesday firmly condemned the acts of
violence against more than 200 girls who were abducted from their
secondary school on 14 April 2014 during a violent raid by Boko Haram in
the village of Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria. The Committee expressed
deep concern about the fate of the girls, who have now been separated
from their families for one month.
"The Committee considers that this large-scale abduction from an
educational institution for enslavement constitutes a direct violation
of articles 5, 6 and 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women* and may qualify as a crime
against humanity," Committee chairperson Nicole Ameline stated.
"The Committee urges Nigeria to employ all necessary means to obtain
the release of the girls and to bring to justice the perpetrators of
this heinous crime."
The Committee recalled its General
Recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict
and post-conflict situations, asking States parties to uphold women’s
rights before, during and after conflict and to exercise due diligence
in ensuring that non-State actors are held accountable for crimes
against women.
"In particular, according to the General Recommendation, States must
take measures to prevent the occurrence of attacks and threats against
school girls and their teachers; and ensure that perpetrators of such
acts of violence are promptly investigated, prosecuted and punished," Ms
Ameline added.
The Committee will closely follow the situation of the abducted girls
and the measures taken by the Nigerian authorities to ensure their
release, punish the perpetrators and provide effective remedies to the
victims, as well as to prevent similar violations in the future and
ensure the participation of women in the resolution of the current
crisis.
For interview requests or further information on the work of the
Committee, please contact Jakob Schneider on +41 22 917 9301 or jschneider@ohchr.org.
* Full convention: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CEDAW.aspx
GENEVA (14 May 2014) - The Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women on Wednesday firmly condemned the acts of
violence against more than 200 girls who were abducted from their
secondary school on 14 April 2014 during a violent raid by Boko Haram in
the village of Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria. The Committee expressed
deep concern about the fate of the girls, who have now been separated
from their families for one month.
"The Committee considers that this large-scale abduction from an
educational institution for enslavement constitutes a direct violation
of articles 5, 6 and 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women* and may qualify as a crime
against humanity," Committee chairperson Nicole Ameline stated.
"The Committee urges Nigeria to employ all necessary means to obtain
the release of the girls and to bring to justice the perpetrators of
this heinous crime."
The Committee recalled its General
Recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict
and post-conflict situations, asking States parties to uphold women’s
rights before, during and after conflict and to exercise due diligence
in ensuring that non-State actors are held accountable for crimes
against women.
"In particular, according to the General Recommendation, States must
take measures to prevent the occurrence of attacks and threats against
school girls and their teachers; and ensure that perpetrators of such
acts of violence are promptly investigated, prosecuted and punished," Ms
Ameline added.
The Committee will closely follow the situation of the abducted girls
and the measures taken by the Nigerian authorities to ensure their
release, punish the perpetrators and provide effective remedies to the
victims, as well as to prevent similar violations in the future and
ensure the participation of women in the resolution of the current
crisis.
For interview requests or further information on the work of the
Committee, please contact Jakob Schneider on +41 22 917 9301 or jschneider@ohchr.org.
* Full convention: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CEDAW.aspx
Discrimination against Women on Wednesday firmly condemned the acts of
violence against more than 200 girls who were abducted from their
secondary school on 14 April 2014 during a violent raid by Boko Haram in
the village of Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria. The Committee expressed
deep concern about the fate of the girls, who have now been separated
from their families for one month.
"The Committee considers that this large-scale abduction from an
educational institution for enslavement constitutes a direct violation
of articles 5, 6 and 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women* and may qualify as a crime
against humanity," Committee chairperson Nicole Ameline stated.
"The Committee urges Nigeria to employ all necessary means to obtain
the release of the girls and to bring to justice the perpetrators of
this heinous crime."
The Committee recalled its General
Recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict
and post-conflict situations, asking States parties to uphold women’s
rights before, during and after conflict and to exercise due diligence
in ensuring that non-State actors are held accountable for crimes
against women.
"In particular, according to the General Recommendation, States must
take measures to prevent the occurrence of attacks and threats against
school girls and their teachers; and ensure that perpetrators of such
acts of violence are promptly investigated, prosecuted and punished," Ms
Ameline added.
The Committee will closely follow the situation of the abducted girls
and the measures taken by the Nigerian authorities to ensure their
release, punish the perpetrators and provide effective remedies to the
victims, as well as to prevent similar violations in the future and
ensure the participation of women in the resolution of the current
crisis.
For interview requests or further information on the work of the
Committee, please contact Jakob Schneider on +41 22 917 9301 or jschneider@ohchr.org.
* Full convention: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CEDAW.aspx
