Nigeria: bring back our girls

‘Bring back our girls’ is the message sent by the European Parliament today to the Nigerian authorities. MEPs adopted a Resolution that strongly condemns the continuing wave of violence committed by the terrorist sect Boko Haram and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Chibok schoolgirls. The EPP Group expresses its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and supports the efforts of the Nigerian Government to stop the violence and bring those responsible to justice.

Mariya Gabriel MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group responsible for relations with Mediterranean countries, commented: "The ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaign has given great visibility to the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by the terrorist group Boko Haram. But as the EP Resolution adopted today underlines, this kidnapping is one of a continuing wave of violent acts perpetrated by Boko Haram, which have consequently displaced thousands of people. It is also very alarming to see that children and women are being targeted in these attacks."

The EPP Group Vice-Chairwoman stressed that the EU should enhance its efforts for aid and help remove the root causes of the rise of Boko Haram: "The development and violence of the Boko Haram terrorist group also reflect the challenges faced by Nigeria: control of borders and regional cooperation, stability of the State, respect for human rights, fundamental freedom and the rule of law. The EU must remain mobilised for cooperation with Nigeria to find and release the kidnapped girls, but also to help address the root causes of the rise of Boko Haram."