Northern Nigerian Christian political leader describes the agony of the Christians under Boko Haram attacks. (Photo Credit: Faith McDonnell)
United States Action
Attacks by Boko Haram, the northern Nigerian jihadists dedicated to eliminating the Christian presence in northern Nigeria and establishing Sharia throughout the country, continue every week. And still the U.S. Department will not designate Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Some good news, though, is that U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) has drafted a new bill in Congress to “impose sanctions against persons who knowingly provide material support or resources to Boko Haram or its affiliates, associated groups, or agents, or for other purposes.” To ensure that it is perfectly clear, the text of yet unnumbered bill indicates that the bill will be entitled “The Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2013.” It includes in the provisions a “Sense of Congress on Designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization” as well as a legislative section listing the types of sanctions that should be used against those who affiliate with Boko Haram.
Before introducing the bill, we would like to see many other members of House sign on as co-sponsors. You could send a copy of this article or any other others on Juicy Ecumenism describing the horror that Boko Haram is visiting upon the Christians of northern Nigeria, and how it is affiliated with all of the other jihadist Islamist supremacist groups around the globe. Encourage your member of Congress to be a co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation.
You can also help by signing this White House petition created by our Northern Nigeria Task Force to designate Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Global Action
Last week, August 6, came the welcome news that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, has declared Boko Haram liable for ICC prosecution for crimes against humanity, reported by Agenzia Fides. “The information available provide a reasonable basis for believing that in July 2009 Boko Haram launched a widespread and systematic attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 civilians, Muslims and Christians in different parts of Nigeria,” wrote Fatou Bensouda in a preliminary report, says Agenzia Fides. They add that her report was based on evidence collected up to December 2012.
Continues Agenzia Fides:
Ms. Bensouda also states that among the possible crimes against humanity, there are murders and persecution, adding, however, that one can start a full-fledged criminal investigation only after further investigation. The start of a criminal investigation by the International Criminal Court also depends on the ability or inability of Nigerian authorities to pursue independently “those who appear to have the major responsibility” in these crimes.
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