GENEVA / BOKO HARAM HUMAN RIGHTS

The High Commissioner for Human Rights' Office has expressed outrage about the claims made in a video apparently by Nigeria's Boko Haram rebel leader in which he threatens to sell abducted schoolgirls and marry them off.  CH UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:55
• Production Date: 6 May 2014
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - OHCHR; UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - UNHRC
• Subject Topical: HUMAN RIGHTS; TERRORISM
• Geographic Subject: NIGERIA
• MAMS Id: 1013141

Description

STORY: GENEVA / BOKO HARAM
TRT: 1.55
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 6 MAY 2014, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

RECENT – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations

6 MAY 2014, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesman, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
"The video released apparently from the Boko Haram leader yesterday in which he brazenly says they are going to sell these abducted schoolgirls in the marketplace and even used the words slaves is truly shocking. I think Boko Haram is sinking to new depths. It is hard to see how they could sink further, but this is quite appalling. Slavery and sexual slavery are absolutely prohibited under international law and in certain circumstances, and this could well be one of them, they could be considered crimes against humanity, which is one of the most serious crimes that does exist."
3. SOUNDBITE (English) UNTV journalist question:
Specifically, what can be done to help these girls? What are the prospects of rescuing them?
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesman, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Well, I think nobody really even knows that...possibly the Nigerian government has some idea if where they are. We don't even know where they are. We don't even know the precise numbers. They are many different numbers out there of how many school girls are still being held by Boko Haram. We don't know if Boko Haram has carried out this threat of selling some to other people. There have even been reports they are going to sell them across borders to other countries. So there is an awful lot we don't know, but nearly all of it absolutely terrible. These poor girls, went to school, were sitting there in school and now are facing a prospect of a life of mistreatment as slaves or sexual slaves or forced wives of people they absolutely won't be wanting to marry."
5. Wide shot, Rupert Colville walking away

Storyline

The High Commissioner for Human Rights' Office has expressed outrage about the claims made in a video apparently by Nigeria's Boko Haram rebel leader in which he threatens to sell abducted schoolgirls and marry them off.

Describing the schoolgirls' kidnapping the use of the word "slaves" in yesterday's video as "truly shocking", Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville said Boko Haram had sunk to new depths and it was hard to see how it could sink further.

The Human Rights office condemned the violent abduction and the threats and called for the immediate return of the girls to their families.

Slavery and sexual slavery are absolutely prohibited under international law, Colville said.
In certain circumstances, and this could well be one of them, the spokesman added, they could considered crimes against humanity.

Colville said little was known about the girls' whereabouts, the precise number that had been kidnapped, or even if the rebels had already sold some of them possibly in other countries.

During a visit to Nigeria earlier this year, High Commissioner Navi Pillay said the actions of Boko Haram have grown increasingly monstrous.

The High Commissioner has contacted the President of Nigeria and urged the government to ensure it spares no effort to ensure the safe return of the girls to their homes and communities.