Chibok Schoolgirls: Nigerian Government Must Accept Foreign Help – SERAP
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP,
has come out and accused the President Goodluck Jonathan’s
administration of not trying to accept help from other countries and
international organizations in the search for the kidnapped CHIBOK
girls.
SERAP revealed this was a major factor on why the nation has failed
in locating and freeing the over 200 pupils of Government Secondary
School, Chibok, Borno State, kidnapped by the violent Islamist sect,
Boko Haram.
A statement, released by the group, read in part: “It is 100 days today that the girls were taken away from their families.
"The question Nigerians are asking is why this government has not
admitted that it cannot do it alone. It is now time for the government
to genuinely and proactively seek help and international assistance to
obtain the badly needed intelligence, logistics and other support so
that the schoolgirls can return to their families without further delay.
“At this point in time, seeking such assistance will not breach
Nigeria’s sovereignty. As a matter of fact, SERAP believes that Nigeria
has a duty under international law not only to seek international
assistance but also to accept any such assistance when offered.
"This is the basis of the principle of international cooperation for the protection of human rights,” the organization said.
The group also added that the government doesn’t have unchecked
rights to refuse help from other nations in the fight against terrorism.
It went on: "A state cannot be allowed to arbitrarily refuse
international assistance or to restrict such assistance for political
reasons where it is unable to satisfactorily respond to a crisis like
the case of the abducted schoolgirls.”
“SERAP also reminds members of the international community of the
common offices of humanity owed by all states to each other, which
means that they must move beyond the rhetoric of the past 100 days to be
more proactive, willing and ready to offer assistance.
"Proactively offering assistance to the government and civil
society will not be an unwanted incursion into the country’s territory
but will rather advance the fundamental principles of international
cooperation, solidarity and respect for human rights,” the organization added.
Over 200 kidnapped Chibok girls were the students of the Government
Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. They were preparing for their
exams, when the unfortunate attack and abduction occurred.
Foreign nations had offered assistance, but President Jonathan
initially turned some of them down, due to not wanting "another
Afghanistan" in Nigeria.
Do you think he should have them accepted the offer and basically hand over the country’s protection to another foreign nation?
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