Washington, D.C. – Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) condemned the kidnapping of nearly 300 girls in Nigeria by the terrorist organization, Boko Haram, and encouraged the administration to take action to address the growing threat of the organization to global peace and security. Paulsen is joining House colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry asking for the administration to push for the inclusion of Boko Haram on the United Nation’s Security Council al-Qaeda sanctions list. He is also cosponsoring H.Res. 573, a resolution condemning the horrific attacks.

“Kidnapping young girls and threatening to sell them to the highest bidder is the epitome of evil and requires strong action from the international community,” said Paulsen. “I encourage the administration to use the tools at its disposal, including pushing for the addition of Boko Haram to the U.N.’s al-Qaeda sanctions list, to bring these girls home and weaken Boko Haram’s power in western Africa.” 

Boko Haram, which translates roughly to ‘western education is forbidden,’ kidnapped the girls from a boarding school in northeast Nigeria. A leader for the organization has threatened to sell the girls into sex trafficking or marriage. Yesterday, 310 people were killed in a Boko Haram assault on a village where searchers for the missing girls were based.

Video of Paulsen's floor speech condemning the attacks can be found here.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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