Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the international community brings pressure upon the authorities in Nigeria to curtail the activities of Boko Haram; the number of women and children deemed to be held captive by Boko Haram; the extent of negotiations between the United Nations and European Union authorities and if progress will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12367/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government has consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram, which have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of an estimated 2.2 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. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls, and a direct threat to education and education facilities.

While it is difficult to identify the exact numbers of people being held captive by the group, in recent months the Government of Nigeria has made substantial progress against Boko Haram, progress that has been verified by a number of independent sources. Since his election in May 2015, President Buhari has made the fight against Boko Haram one of his policy priorities. Today the security situation has improved in many parts of the North East allowing much needed humanitarian assistance to reach isolated communities for the first time. There are daily reports of the rescue of woman and children from Boko Haram and while numbers cannot be confirmed, there are indications that the Nigerian security forces are making progress forcing the group deep into the Sambisa Forest. However, this is not to underestimate the persistent grave humanitarian situation, and in particular the continuing abuses being perpetrated against women and girls.

Ireland, with our EU partners, has continued to support the Nigerian Government in its efforts, and reiterated the need for a regional approach to tackling the issue. The EU High Representative, Ms Federica Mogherini, attended the Security Summit in Abuja on May 14th. During her visit, she met with regional leaders and with the leaders of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and representatives of the international human rights groups, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. She announced, with the African Union Commission, €50 million to further the operationalisation of the Multinational Joint Taskforce to which Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad are contributing a total of 8,700 troops. 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. In June 2015 the EU provided €21 million in humanitarian funding to the four main countries affected by this crisis.

The issue has also been discussed at the UN on many occasions. In January 2016, UN Special Rapporteurs on health, the sale of children and contemporary forms of slavery visited Nigeria to assess the reintegration of women and children affected by the conflict. In February, UN Experts called on the Nigerian Government to make liberated areas truly safe for returnees. Most recently, the UN Security Council, meeting on May 13th, condemned again the activities of Boko Haram, and urged the MNJTF to further enhance regional military cooperation and coordination, particularly to consolidate military gains, deny safe haven to Boko Haram, allow humanitarian access and facilitate the restoration of the rule of law in liberated areas.

Ireland has provided humanitarian relief for 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 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.

Last December, 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. We continue to monitor the situation closely through our Embassy in Abuja and through the EU.