Chibok: UN Human Rights chief writes Jonathan

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on Tuesday wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan and asked him to take steps to rescue the 234 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, from Boko Haram enclave.

She said failure to protect the girls is a violation of human rights.

She also warned Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, against selling the girls because it would amount to crimes against humanity.

The UN High Commissioner made her position known in a statement in Geneva through her spokesperson, Rupert Colville

The statement was made available to our correspondent from Geneva against the backdrop of the global search for the abducted girls.

The statement said: “We are deeply concerned about the outrageous claims made in a video by a man believed to be the leader of Boko Haram in Nigeria yesterday, in which he brazenly says he will sell the abducted schoolgirls “in the market” and “marry them off”, referring to them as “slaves.”

“We condemn the violent abduction of these girls, reportedly at gunpoint from their school in Chibok in Borno State in North-Eastern Nigeria.

“We warn the perpetrators that there is an absolute prohibition against slavery and sexual slavery in international law. These can, under certain circumstances, constitute crimes against humanity. The girls must be immediately returned, unharmed, to their families.”

Along with seven others, she said she had sent a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan on the need to rescue the girls from Boko Haram.

The statement added: “The High Commissioner has contacted the President of Nigeria and urged the Government to ensure that it spares no effort to ensure the safe return of the girls to their homes and communities.

“In a letter signed by Navi Pillay, along with the Executive Director of UN Women, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, the four African UN women leaders reminded the Nigerian Government of its legal responsibility to ensure that girls and boys have the fundamental rights to education and to be protected from violence, persecution and intimidation.

“As the High Commissioner said during her visit to Nigeria earlier this year, the actions of Boko Haram have grown increasingly monstrous. The group has targeted some people simply because of their religion or professional occupation – and in this case, simply because the girls were enrolled in school.

“We urge the authorities to take all necessary measures, consistent with human rights, to protect their people from these violations and crimes.

“It is particularly important that the local state authorities and the federal government cooperate fully.

“Failure to undertake effective measures that are within the authorities’ means to protect people is a violation of human rights. However, States assisting Nigeria in its counter-terrorism operations should also ensure that they stay within the remits of international law.”

Chibok: UN Human Rights chief writes Jonathan