Condemning the Abduction of Female Students by Boko Haram

Floor Speech

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H. Res. 573, condemning the abduction of female students by armed militants from the terrorist group known as Boko Haram in northeastern provinces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I am outraged by the abduction in April of over 270 innocent schoolgirls who were taken from their boarding school in Borno State, Nigeria. My thoughts and prayers remain with these students and their families as we seek their immediate safe return.

I was horrified to watch Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the extreme Islamist group Boko Haram, admit in a video message he was responsible for this horrendous act. It was painful to hear him refer to these young innocent girls as ``slaves'' and threaten ``to sell them in the market.''

According to media reports, Boko Haram has destroyed many Nigerian schools and killed dozens of students. Boko Haram continues to show an immoral disregard for the most fundamental of human rights, thus we must do all we can to aid in the student's safe return.

No family should have to fear their children could be abducted and placed in the human trafficking market to be sold, raped or killed. Boko Haram has to be stopped and their leader Abubakar Shekau must be apprehended and brought to justice. The Nigerian government should use all means necessary to find the girls and return them to their families.

I am encouraged that the U.S. government is already providing counterterrorism support, logistics, technical expertise and training to Nigerian investigators in this effort. I am glad Nigeria and four neighboring countries will share intelligence and border surveillance to find the students as we must combine our efforts to ensure their safe return. Additionally, I encourage the Nigerian government and leadership to strengthen efforts to protect children who are seeking an education as no student should fear for their life in an effort to further their education. We must work swiftly in an effort to find the girls and assure their safe return to their families.

I have joined my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama urging the Department of State to use every avenue possible to assist in the immediate recovery of the missing girls and to support the welfare and safety of all women and girls in Nigeria. I urge our international partners to join with us until the girls are safely reunited with their families and Boko Haram is brought to justice.

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