WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement on the kidnapping of girls and young women in Nigeria:

“The kidnapping of more than 300 young women last month and eight girls in Nigeriatoday is horrific and despicable. Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram who claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, has referred to these young women as ‘slaves’ and threatened to sell them in the market.  Shekau is the lowest and worst type of human being. His words and Boko Haram's actions run afoul of Islam, international law, and basic humanity.

“We are particularly troubled that Boko Haram is targeting girls, as girls around the world are the most in need of protection to feel safe when theyattend school. Children's rights are human rights, and every child has an absolute right to receive an education in a safe and protected environment.

“The Congressional Black Caucus stands with and supports Secretary Kerry’s decision to send a security team to Nigeria that includes military and law enforcement personnel capable of sharing expertise in intelligence, investigations, hostage negotiating and victim assistance with the Nigerian government. It is troubling that the kidnapped girls might have been moved out of Nigeria to neighboring countries, and therefore we call on the international community, especially African nations and the African Union, to work together to find these girls and unite them with their families.

“Over the past several days countless people from around the globe have come together with one simple message: Bring back our girls. These girls could have been our daughters, our sisters, our nieces, or our friends. These kidnappings have touched people throughout the world, and people from every nation are protesting to raise awareness of this urgent human rights violation. They are saying prayers for the young women's safety and are using their voices to bring this awful nightmare to an end. The Congressional Black Caucus fully supports these efforts, and we look forward to these girls safely returning to their families and to their homes.”

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