Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights Issues

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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389. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the ongoing efforts being made to secure the release of almost 300 school girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7646/16]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people. 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. The abduction in April 2014 of the schoolgirls from Chibok appalled the world. This attack was one of a number perpetrated on defenceless young people, seeking to destroy their education and their futures. Ireland, together with our EU partners, continues to call on all parties to work for the release of the more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok who remain in captivity. We are aware that a video has been released in recent days, from which family members and friends are said to have identified some of the girls.

It is the responsibility of the Nigerian Government 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 Nigerian Government has seen some recent successes in tackling Boko Haram and regaining control of territory. At an EU-Nigeria Ministerial dialogue last month, the EU urged the Nigerian Government to continue these efforts and to ensure full operationalisation of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, to which Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad are contributing a total of 8,700 troops.

Ireland has provided humanitarian relief to those affected by Boko Haram attacks. In March 2015, we arranged for the airlift of 87 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies for distribution by the NGO Plan to an estimated 13,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon. In October last year, we provided €500,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (ICRC) for its humanitarian operations in Nigeria. In addition, one of Ireland’s Rapid Responders is currently working with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in northern Nigeria.

We are continuing to monitor the situation closely through our Embassy in Abuja and through the EU. Our Ambassador to Nigeria travelled to Borno State, the region in the North East particularly affected by Boko Haram activities, last December, where he met with the Governor.

The EU has pledged up to €50 million in support for the Multinational Joint Taskforce to tackle Boko Haram, and, in June 2015, announced €21 million in humanitarian funding to the four countries concerned. The EU has also funded technical assistance to the Office of the National Security Advisor of Nigeria to support the implementation of counter-terrorism legislation and capacity to tackle radicalisation.

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