Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

630. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the Government's and non-governmental organisations' efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Boko Haram; the discussions held at an European Union level on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30197/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The brutal activities of Boko Haram continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and to the wider region, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls, and a direct threat to the provision of education and education facilities. The abduction over a year ago of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok appalled the world. It has been one of a number of attacks on defenceless young people, seeking to destroy their education and their futures.

I cannot speak for the work being undertaken by Non-Governmental Organisations.

The Government has consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram. Most recently, at a meeting convened by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 30 June and at a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 1 April, we highlighted the terrible human rights and humanitarian impact of the terrorist violence. The extent of the humanitarian crisis has also been emphasised by EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 February. The EU has pledged to continue providing immediate relief to those in need and to increase its efforts at a regional level. Ireland recently provided some €1 million in humanitarian stocks to the NGO, Plan, for Nigerian refugees fleeing Boko Haram who are living in camps in northern Cameroon.

It is the responsibility of the new Nigerian Government, as well as of its military authorities, to create a secure environment in which the human rights of civilians are promoted and protected, including in those areas affected by Boko Haram.

The recent military success in pushing Boko Haram back from major towns in north-eastern Nigeria provides an opportunity to bring the conflict to an end and it is critically important that the recently-established Multinational Joint Taskforce of troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin continues its efforts to protect innocent people and to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.

The new President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, was inaugurated on 29 May. I welcome his recent comments on the need to address corruption and security threats, including those posed by Boko Haram. I would again urge the Government of Nigeria to commit the necessary resources to finding the girls and returning them to their families and their education.

I will continue to monitor the situation through our Embassy in Abuja, which is in regular contact with the Government of Nigeria on developments, and will ensure, with our EU partners, that we maintain the focus on the human rights abuses being perpetrated against innocent civilians, and especially young people, in the region.