Nigerians attend a demonstration to demand government to rescue schoolgirls abducted by suspected Boko Haram militants two weeks ago (Photo Credit: Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images).
On April 14, 234 school girls between the ages of 16 and 18 were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok in Northern Nigeria by the Islamist armed group Boko Haram.
Boko Haram, which is opposed to any form of western education, has waged a brutal insurgency destabilizing different states in the northern part of the country at various points since 2009 with bombs, attacks on schools and the killings of thousands of individuals. Amnesty estimates that 2,300 people have died as a result of the armed conflict since 2010, with 1,500 being killed between January and March of 2014 alone.
Two weeks after the kidnapping, the Nigerian government has yet to communicate a plan or take action, even as reports of the girls being sold into sexual slavery or forced marriage are popping up.
On Thursday, the mothers and other family members of the kidnapped girls marched on the nation’s capital Abuja demanding action.
The girls must be released and the rights of all children of Nigeria to safely pursue an education, free from violence must be protected along with rights of all of the people living within the country.
On April 14, militants stormed the Government Girls Secondary School. They loaded scores of schoolgirls onto their trucks before driving away unhindered. Local authorities say 129 girls went missing that night. Some parents, however, claim a total of 234 schoolchildren were abducted (Photo Credit: Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images).
In this terrible moment, we would like to tell the families of the 234 girls that our thoughts are with them and their daughters and sisters and that we will continue our work in support of protecting human rights in Nigeria.
Please take a moment to tweet and get your friends to tweet in support of the Girls of Chibok and call for their immediate and unconditional release, using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
Take action now: Nigerian authorities need to know that the world stands with the girls’ families in demanding their immediate release.
Show your solidarity by submitting photos on Amnesty’s Bring Back Our Girls Tumblr.
Click here to learn more about violence against women and Amnesty’s work to end gender-based violence globally.
This is absurd that this has even happened, I can't believe that men still believe they have the right to own or rule over another human being in today's day… Lets rise up out of the dark ages and educate these small minded individuals
Unacceptable
Is there something one can do, besides tweet or post on facebook?
I'd like to know the same thing
Hi Maria.
We could each – in every country – start a petition. possibly an e-petition and get as many people as we can to sign. (At most 3 minutes of their day to go online and do so).
We could make simple MS Word leaflets and put them through all the doors on our street or post them in public places. Ask for signatures on FB, Twitter, our work colleagues etc.
This will resonate with students, parents and anyone with a little heart; then in a week or two we present a petition of hopefully thousands / millions of signatures to the Nigerian embassy in our own country to let them know that the world is watching and that need to act. ………
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/work-un…
https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/demand-ac…
You can pray and sign this petition: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/over-200-gi…
How is this possible that a governing body does nothing to protect its innocent trusting citizens. . Shame should not be its motivator but honor should.
They do not see it as their job to provide security for the masses
In Finland we are very worried about it. I am ready to help. I am a journalist. These girls should be released as soon as possible.
Enough words, time for action by the Nigerian government. If this had happened in the EU all hell would be breaking loose.
In Jamaica we are already praying for the safe return of the girls. Let us know how else we can help
I have no respect for any group who chooses children as a target .. I AM A AMERICAN and at times not happy about the things my government gets involved in // but the government of NIGERIA lack of action sends a message ( WE ARE A SOFT TARGET UNWILLING TO PROTECT EVEN OUR MOST INNOCENT) If these were AMERICAN children U CAN B SURE THE AMERICAN GOVERMENT AND ALL ITS MILITARY MIGHT WOULD PERSUE THIER RELEASE BY ALL FORCE NECESSARY ACCROSS ANY COUNTRIES BORDER// THE LEADERS OF THESE GROUPS WOULD BE HUNTED DOWN AND BROUGHT TO P A Y FOR THIER CRIMES ////// MY HOPES ARE THAT THE NIGERIAN LACK OF ACTION & SILENCE OF THIER GOVERMENT ARE TO CONCEAL A WELL PLANNED RESCUE ATTEMP BUT IF NOT THE NIGERIAN GOVERMENT IS AS COWARDLY AS THE CRIMINALS
Canada, where are you on this .. This is a crime against humanity .. This is what we need to focus on .. Find them, bring them home and then, do what needs to be done to punish the perpretarors but more importantly, educate them and their people that this is not right.
What else can we do to help?
I cannot begin to imagine how terrified those girls must be. I pray for the Lord to be with them and shelter them from any more harm.
They can't be that difficult to find!!!! why is their government stalling to get them back !! This is unexceptable and suspicious !
The governments are the problem. These girls were taken by forces under control by the same forces that control the government. This is so sad thoughts and prayers be with them but don't believe everything you read. May God intervene
A disgrace to humanity. This must be stopped and this is a violation to the girls rights.
IF THERE WAS A ONGOING RISK OF ACTIVITIES LIKE THIS AGAINST CHILDERN IN SCHOOLS WHERE WERE THE PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO PROTECT THESE CHILDERN / OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST PERCIOUS ASSET AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED AT ALL COST /// JUST ONE AMERICANS OPINION
Please tell us what we can do about this.
I've been saying exactly the same thing,it's appalling that these young women are being treated like a commodity, the International community must put pressure on the Nigerian Government to get their citizens back immediately.
Oh my gosh, my prayers and thoughts are with the families and these girls. Shame on Nigeria! You are allowing the future of your country to be seriously jeopardized, how dare you not do anything. I hope there are some militant parents out there that go after their girls, AND ARE VICTORIOUS because this is ridiculous!!!
Well, here's my way of fighting… I have a Facebook account and I will post a link of this story on all the news pages I can find. Spam? Nope, I see it as taking action. My duty.
We need to teach our males that women are NOT a commodity to own!!….Eliminate the demand………..eliminate the heinous danger!
I'm also from Finland and also ready to help. I'm ready take action. The action needs to be taken right now. How about Amnesty here in Finland? Are they ready? Anyone from Finland with me to raise noice? Tips from other countries?
This is despicable. Breaks my heart. Please post more if there's something more we can do to help.
Yes girls were kidnap by heartless Islamist terrorist. To say that Nigerian government is not doing anything is not fair. Using force to rescue them will definitely lead to great collateral damage. If Amnesty international is sincere, they are support the Nigerian Government to rescue them. By the way in the past AI condemn the Nigerian security forces of human right violation anytime the use maximum force against the terrorists. The based their reports on satellite images. I'm still wondering why they are yet to provide satellite images on the location of this girls. While not disparaging the #BringBackOurGirls campaign I think we should all put greater efforts on the Islamists to #ReleaseOurGirls.
How can this happen in this day and age? Why is it not headline news???? This is sickening!
There is so much struggle for girls to have a right to education in many countries like this. This abduction of innocent girls is a scare tactic & punishment to those who do not wish to keep their women enchained but set free. There is a pretty obvious reason why their Government have been slow to protect & stand for these girls!! The worlds eyes are on them!!
Don't the Islamists say that Islam is the religion of peace? Well now they can add bulk girl stealing and selling on top of that. Oh don't forget female genital mutilation and no education for women… Such a peaceful religion.
the more people talk about it the more help could be mobilized so yes some of us are very far but we can share to force action by the government and international humanitarian bodies,,,,, yes the Boko harram are just but cowards and they fear women most.
I agree with Emily Burtenshaw. Enough words. Now, it is time to act. Perhaps more women could get involved in the actual dirty work:) I don't believe the Muslims who did this have a lot of respect for women, though. So, you might need the help of a few men. Yes, too many words. THAT is the real underlying problem to most of the ills which plague us today. We in America also care about those unborn children who are ripped from wombs and killed every day. Time for action!
Why am I only just hearing about this? Should this not be front page news?!
Can you imagine the outcry if this happened in America or Europe?
Just because it's far away it's ignored why isn't this headline news all over the world?
its really unacceptable.
We are praying that somebody actually actively looks for these dear girls and that they are returned to their families as soon as possible!,
This is not a "kidnapping", because there's no prospect of the girls being returned unharmed after some kind of negotiation. This is a terrorist act by a terrorist, Islamist group, and should be treated as such by the international community.
Governments only seem concerned when bombs explode – but is not the impact of the abduction of 270+ girls not like a bomb going off in the lives their families and communities.?Is not the pain of abduction, of violence and of rape not like a bomb exploding in their lives and in their bodies? It must be seen to carry as much gravitas as any other act of terrorism. so-called Forced Marriage is rape by any other name. This is such a heinous crime against women. Please act to return these girls home and provide support to their families and indeed to the girls themselves when they are returned as they will be deeply traumatised. They must never be made to feel ashamed for what has happened to them. the whole world needs to voice their condemnation of this act and offer support to these parents.
How can we help???
since Amensty International supports the legalization of prostitution and most brothels are filled with girls sold into slavery and since the terrorists say the girls would be sold into prostitution doesn't AI see the hypocrisy here?
These girls must be found and returned to their families immediately! The Nigerian government had a responsibility to protect these innocent girls and has failed miserably. Perhaps they have been unwilling to act swiftly to locate the girls and bring these terrorists to justice as they are receiving some kind of benefits from their actions as well. This is a crime against humanity!!
Unacceptable. Bring them back to their families.
The government of Nigeria does not care about its people. This is shocking. Unbelieveable.
This is just disgusting that this could occur let alone nothing be done about it. Makes me feel ashamed to be a human being. As a mother my heart bleeds for all their parents and for the beautiful girls so cruelly taken.
Why am I just seeing this on my national news now?
I can't understand why western world govts aren't assisting
You all don't understand Nigerians. That is the problem here. If it was the president's daughter, wife or relative, do you really believe we would be having this discussion? Nigeria is all about who you know for everything. The government will be dragging its feet because they really don't want to offend northerners of which Boko Haram are a part. International media is what is making them look like fools now, so now they will do something, but if not for that, the government will just fold its arms and look the other way like it does on so many other matters.
Since the government of Nigeria, is doing nothing, why not open our homes in the United States to girls so at least they are safe from these terrorists. The girls could come for the school year and attend school in safety and peace. When the terrorists are captured or killed, than the girls can return home. I would be willing to welcome girls in my home.
Per the United Nations statutes and common morality, this is a crime against humanity. Those girls and their parents especially are feeling the pain of it, but it is a crime against every one of us.
…………I am praying so hard, as if these girls were my very own granddaughters, all three of whom have safe and good lives here in the USA. Something must be done to stop the terrible things done to girls and women in some African countries. I've been to Africa, thankfully to countries which do not treat people this way, but I know how the situation is in many other places. Nigeria, this is shameful – something must be done to save so many young girls from a terrible life.
This bring back our girls campaign is not JUST for the girls taken on april 15th. This is a movement to stop future invasions, bombings, and killings. Unfortunately this has been an ongoing thing. Why cant this stop here and now? Support this cause because if this was you, you would want a helping hand.Watch ""Bring Back Our Girls" (Spoken Word) – Kahpri" on YouTube
"Bring Back Our Girls" (Spoken Word) – Kahpri: http://youtu.be/-G9CxNudrUI
we need to pray. there is a lot more to know about BOKO HARAN.
This is government's duty to protect all its citizens, no matter if they are men or women. This is the principal role of a government and Nigeria failed execrably. And now, it fails to recover those poor girls.
The world is far from a perfect place, but we can change that.
Education is key. Education is how we can begin to solve these problems. Girls need to be educated, they could become doctors, to cure illnesses, they could become teachers, to educate the further generations. Lawyers, artists, musicians..
TOWIE- The Only Way Is Education!
Just imagine how different the world would be!
I agree with all of you! We need to get these girls back. It's been two months since they were abducted, and the longer they are out, the chances of retrieving them are less and less. Inaction does not spell success.
Can we not start a world-wide upheaval, some sort of movement to pressure Nigeria or the United Nations to find them and release them?
If millions of people world-wide would demonstrate and let their desires be known to free the girls at all costs, it seems the UN or the government of Nigeria, and, hopefully, both, would bear down hard until they were brought forth and released. Even those who were forced into marriage should be accepted back and loved into the fold, along with any children they might unwillingly bear as a result of this horrible crime. I'd like to see them resettled in the United States or another decent country where they can be protected, educated, and given a chance at a future.
This I sooo so , I remember crying when this happened, it just break my heart
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