人权理事会在博科圣地施行恐怖主义袭击和人权侵犯行为的背景下召开特别会议（部分翻译）

上午

2015年4月1日

发言人向在摩加迪沙恐怖主义袭击中遇难的索马里大使尤瑟夫•巴里-巴里致敬

人权理事会今天在恐怖主义组织博科圣地施行恐怖主义袭击和人权侵犯行为的背景下召开第二十三届特别会议。

人权理事会主席约阿希姆•卢埃克（Joachim Rücker）表示，特别会议应非洲集团要求、在21个理事会成员国和8个观察国的呼吁下召开。

在会议开始阶段，理事会为纪念索马里常驻联合国日内瓦办事处代表尤瑟夫•巴里•巴里（Yusuf Bari-Bari）大使而默哀一分钟，他是3月27日（周五）索马里摩加迪沙致命恐怖袭击的一名受害者。

联合国人权事务高级专员扎伊德•拉阿德•侯赛因（Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein）在开场发言中向尤瑟夫•巴里-巴里大使表示敬意，他是有力的人权维护者，十分关注针对妇女的暴力和对白化病人的保护。

高级专员扎伊德表示，博科圣地暴乱犯下了令人震惊的暴行，这使得尼日利亚北部和乍得湖流域的人权状况十分紧急。自从2009年以来，至少已有15000人被杀害，妇女和女童遭受着可怕的虐待，包括性奴役和数百名女学生被绑架；尼日利亚有一百多万人流离失所，至少已有168000人逃至邻国。当局和国际社会应该加强充分回应这些受害者需求的力度，必须强有力、协调且有序地回应大规模侵犯行为，并必须维护民主和人权的价值。高级专员呼吁对关于尼日利亚和其他国家的安全部队在回击博科圣地施行严重人权侵犯行为的可靠报道进行彻底且透明的调查。

特别程序协调委员会成员米蕾列•法农•门德斯•弗朗斯（Mireille Fanon Mendes France）在主旨发言中向痛失巴里•巴里大使的索马里民众以及其他所有恐怖主义袭击的受害者表示诚挚的慰问。

协调委员会对因为博科圣地持续在喀麦隆、乍得、尼日尔和尼日利亚施行暴力和恐怖暴行而导致人权和人道主义危机深表关切，并对各国打击恐怖主义行为的努力表示支持。所有采取的措施必须完全符合国际法，因为对人权和基本自由的保护与安全是一致的。协调委员会提醒了代表团一些绝对不得克减的权利，包括生命权、免受酷刑的权利、法律确定性原则和不溯及既往在刑事法中的应用。特别程序随时准备继续协助各国，各国应使用其建议和专业知识来制订应对博科圣地提出的挑战的适当方式。

非洲联盟驻马里和萨赫勒特别代表皮埃尔•布约亚（Pierre Buyoya）在主旨发言中对尤瑟夫•巴里•巴里遇难表示痛惜，并向其家人和索马里人民表示慰问。

布约亚先生表示，非洲的恐怖主义威胁在过去的十年内有所升级，跨国有组织犯罪的变体已与恐怖组织的活动和资助密切相关。非洲目前主要的恐怖主义组织为北非的基地组织、西非和北非的博科圣地、东非的舍卜沃以及东非和中非大湖地区的上帝抵抗军。最近，一个名为伊斯兰教法辅士的组织出现在北非一些国家。为了协调其打击博科圣地的力量，乍得湖流域的国家已经决定成立一个联合多国军队，布约亚先生表示，并强调了联合国财政、技术和后勤援助的重要性。

喀麦隆、乍得和尼日利亚作为相关国家发言。

喀麦隆对外关系部长皮埃尔•穆科科•姆邦乔（Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo）表示，博科圣地在尼日利亚、喀麦隆和乍得施行了大量人权侵犯行为这点足够明确。尽管发生了那些可怕的罪行，喀麦隆坚决致力于尊重国际人道主义法和国际人权法。最近只发生了一起事件，即一家监狱内的75名博科圣地激进分子被杀，目前正在对这一事件进行调查，肇事者将被起诉。

乍得司法和人权部长穆罕默德•伊萨•哈利基米（Mahamat Issa Halikimi）指出，博科圣地已经成为一个旨在破坏西非和中非国家稳定的无情敌人。它在贫困和地方当局不作为的肥沃土壤上枝繁叶茂，变得越来越组织化和职业化。非洲国家需要加强其在国际反恐行动中的话语权，这要求非洲政府间更好的协调。乍得相信，民间社会的参与可以改善各国的安全状况。

尼日利亚外交部长常任秘书丹朱马•南彭•舍尼（Danjuma Nanpon Sheni）表示，高度的贫困、文盲和失业推动了博科圣地的崛起，他强调这一挑战不是单个国家可以解决的，需要受影响国家齐心协力。也需要支持来解决150万境内流离失所者和650000名难民的困境。国际社会应该关注博科圣地与舍卜沃和伊斯兰国等其他国际武装组织创立的网络。

发言人在讨论中强烈谴责了博科圣地持续犯下的暴行，这引发了极端的人类苦难，包括定点清除和对平民的袭击、绑架以及性和性别暴力。发言人表示博科圣地跨国和不断演变的特点对区域性和平和安全造成了威胁，并对设立多国联合工作队以及该地区尼日利亚、尼日尔、乍得和喀麦隆为控制并回击博科圣地对平民的攻击而作出的努力表示欢迎。单单军事行动不足以有效地解决问题或打败博科圣地，解决恐怖主义的根本原因、消除这一激进分子团体的资金来源并将所有企图支持其恐怖主义活动的人绳之以法十分关键。反恐措施和活动必须尊重国际人道主义法和国际人权法的条款，受影响国家的政府应该确保对所有被指罪行进行调查并将肇事者绳之以法。

在讨论中发言的有代表欧盟的拉脱维亚、北欧声明中的丹麦、代表法语国家国际组织的摩洛哥、代表非洲集团的阿尔及利亚、代表政府间发展管理局的埃塞俄比亚、代表阿拉伯集团的突尼斯、代表非洲南部次区域的津巴布韦、荷兰、美国、爱沙尼亚、摩洛哥、科特迪瓦、塞拉利昂、阿根廷、俄罗斯、德国、英国、阿拉伯联合酋长国、黑山、中国、韩国以及沙特阿拉伯。

在会议的开始阶段，理事会为纪念巴里-巴里大使默哀一分钟，他于3月27日（周五）在索马里摩加迪沙的恐怖主义袭击中丧生。

代表团对巴里-巴里大使在摩加迪沙一次由青年党施行的懦弱恐怖主义袭击中丧生表示震惊和痛惜，并对这位过世大使对许多人权议题的热情和为保护人权和重建索马里作出的贡献表示称赞。这次袭击是对人权理事会在打击恐怖主义中的作用的一次提醒。

美国、欧盟、代表拉丁美洲和加勒比国家集团的危地马拉、代表非洲集团的阿尔及利亚、塞拉利昂以及埃塞俄比亚发言向巴里•巴里大使致敬。

理事会将于今天4月1日下午2点继续讨论，之后对关于恐怖组织博科圣地施行的恐怖主义袭击、人权虐待和侵犯行为的决议草案采取行动。

向尤瑟夫•巴里-巴里大使致敬

代表阿拉伯集团发言的突尼斯要求为索马里常驻联合国日内瓦办事处代表尤瑟夫•巴里-巴里大使被暗杀默哀一分钟。

美国对尤瑟夫•巴里-巴里被舍卜沃恐怖主义分子杀害表示震惊和痛惜。他在理事会大量议题中发挥了重要作用，并因其对人权保护的贡献饱受赞誉。

欧盟也对巴里-巴里大使的家人和索马里人民表示最诚挚的慰问。他是一个堪称典范的朋友和同事。他坚持不懈地致力于保护人权和重建索马里。

代表拉丁美洲和加勒比国家集团发言的危地马拉对任何形式的恐怖主义以及2015年3月27日发生于摩加迪沙导致巴里-巴里大使死亡的恐怖袭击表示谴责，并对大使家人以及索马里人民表示慰问。巴里-巴里大使与拉丁美洲和加勒比地区有着密切的联系，在这最悲伤的时刻，危地马拉支持索马里。

代表非洲集团发言的阿尔及利亚表示，大家都知道巴里-巴里大使是一个非常善良而且十分专业的人，他是真正的人权维护者。非洲集团失去了一个伟大的朋友和一个为集团的运作做出过巨大贡献的人。非洲集团对索马里以及大使的家人和朋友表示慰问。

塞拉利昂表示，巴里-巴里被恐怖主义组织夺去生命是对人权理事会在打击恐怖主义中的作用的一次提醒。大使对包括白化病人的权利在内的许多人权议题都充满激情。

埃塞俄比亚对一名亲爱的朋友被青年党施行的懦弱恐怖主义袭击杀害表示痛惜。大使是一个有信念和原则，并致力于人权及其祖国索马里的人。

理事会第23届特别会议开幕

人权理事会主席约阿希姆•卢埃克宣布人权理事会第23届特别会议开幕，“鉴于恐怖主义组织博科圣地施行的恐怖主义袭击和人权侵犯行为”，这是3月26日收到的召开特别会议的请求。请求得到了理事会以下会员国的支持：阿尔及利亚、阿根廷、博茨瓦纳、巴西、刚果、科特迪瓦、古巴、埃塞俄比亚、法国、加蓬、加纳、肯尼亚、摩洛哥、纳米比亚、尼日利亚、巴基斯坦、巴拉圭、俄罗斯联邦、塞拉利昂、南非和委内瑞拉。请求也得到了以下观察国的支持：贝宁、喀麦隆、中非共和国、吉布提、莫桑比克、尼日尔、塞内加尔和多哥。

人权事务高级专员的开幕致辞

联合国人权事务高级专员扎伊德•拉阿德•侯赛因花了些时间向尤瑟夫•巴里-巴里大使致敬，并指出他是有力的人权维护者，十分关注针对妇女的暴力和对白化病人的保护。

博科圣地暴乱犯下了令人震惊的暴行，这使得尼日利亚北部和乍得湖流域的人权状况十分紧急。自从2009年博科圣地组织开始大规模实施暴力以来，至少已有15000人被杀害。妇女和女童被针对并成为了包括性奴役在内的恐怖虐待行为的对象。村落和城镇被掠夺和摧毁。博科圣地对学校有特别的敌意，已至少毁坏300所学校，无数学生被杀害，数百名女学生被绑架。尼日利亚有一百多万人流离失所，至少已有168000人逃至邻国。因此，当局和国际社会加强充分回应这些受害者需求的力度至关重要。因为尼日利亚北部的农田负责生产萨赫勒地区的农产品，博科圣地的行动使得该地区一些基本食物的价格大幅上涨。

最初的地方性危机正在迅速演变为十分令人担忧的区域性危机。博科圣地在尼日利亚博尔诺州（Borno）、阿达马瓦州（Adamawa）和约贝州（Yobe）的大片领土内活动。旱季还使得其加强了入侵活动，进入附近的喀麦隆、乍得和尼日尔，将杀戮和荒芜传播得更广。最近几周，尼日利亚、喀麦隆、乍得和尼日尔的军事进攻又夺回了尼日利亚东北部的几座城镇。这让万人塚的可怕场景为人所知，也是博科圣地杀戮行为的明显证据。人权高专办也收到了关于博科圣地战士在政府军队进攻从结点处撤离时杀害其所谓的“妻子”——事实是被奴役的妇女和女童——以及其俘虏的几份报告。

高级专员扎伊德表示，必须强有力、协调且有序地回应大规模侵犯行为。打击暴力恐怖主义的战略维护民主和人权的价值至关重要。并非完全基于人权准则的战略会引发不满，通常将推动极端主义运动。对冲突可能的根本原因也应该进行全面且清晰的考量，因为深层次的歧视和巨大的不平等通常是内部武装冲突的基础。他指出，人权侵犯行为的肇事者不单单为博科圣地。还一直有关于尼日利亚和其他国家的安全部队在回击博科圣地的活动时犯下严重人权侵犯行为的可靠报道。那些安全部队被指控的侵犯行为必须由相关当局进行彻底、充分和透明的调查。冲突日益增多的族裔和教派成分也令人担忧。基督徒成为了攻击的对象，但大多数博科圣地的受害者是穆斯林。因为博科圣地的最初领袖来自卡努里族裔群体，人权事务高级专员办事处收到的报告指出，卡努里人目前被一些军事人员视为嫌疑人，并因此导致了任意逮捕和虐待。相应的，族裔和宗教暴力极有可能恶化，对军事人员原则性强的领导和明确的指挥，再辅以适当的问责才能制止暴力。

高级专员促请就该地区民众的发展权开展涉及面广且以行动为导向的对话，包括更多地参与决策、改善服务以及更广的经济、社会和政治机会。

Keynote Statements

MIREILLE FANON MENDES FRANCE, Member of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, extended sincere condolences to the people of Somalia for the loss of Ambassador Bari-Bari and all other victims of terrorist attack.

The Coordination Committee of Special Procedures expressed deepest concern at the human rights and humanitarian crisis caused by continuing violence and appalling atrocities of Boko Haram in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. It was extremely alarmed at the extent and nature of human rights abuses and the heavy price paid by civilians, and found the use of children as human shield particularly appalling. The Coordination Committee expressed support for efforts by States to combat terrorist acts and stressed that all measures taken should be conducted in full conformity with international law. When countering terrorism, the first duty of any State was to protect the lives of its citizens and all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction. The protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms was not incompatible with security and this had been the spirit of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted in 2006.

Certain rights were absolute and could not be derogated under any circumstances, including the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom from slavery or servitude, the principle of legal certainty and non-retroactivity in the application of the criminal law, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the freedom from return to a country where there was a risk of torture. Other non-derrogable rights were defined by the customary international law also considered. Yet, counter-terrorism measures often posed serious challenges to economic, social and cultural rights, which was particularly important as the promotion of those rights should be seen as a means of addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and hence of preventing acts of terrorism. Counter-terrorism policies or measures should also address the root causes and conditions that were conducive to the emergence and spread of terrorism, including poverty, marginalization, political oppression, and polarization of ethnic and religious characteristics. The Special Procedures were ready to continue assisting States and strongly encouraged them to make use of Special Procedures’ advice and expertise in designing appropriate responses to the challenges posed by Boko Haram.

PIERRE BUYOYA, High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel, expressed sadness due to the loss of Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari, and conveyed condolences to his family and the people of Somalia.

The terrorist threat in Africa had augmented during the previous decade. Several variants of transnational organized crime had become closely linked with the activities and sources of funding of terrorist groups. Those were trafficking of drugs and arms, maritime piracy, ransoming of hostages, unlawful proliferation of arms, and money laundering. According to the latest report of the President of the African Union Commission, terrorist menace in Africa took on several forms, such as terrorist attacks against African interests, attacks against Western interests in Africa, the use of African territories as sanctuary or source of recruitment, and the use of Africa as a transit zone for terrorists and collection of funds for unlawful activities. The principal terrorist groups operating in Africa today were Al-Qaida in northern Africa, Boko Haram and Ansaru in western and northern Africa, Al-Shabab in eastern Africa, and the Lord’s Resistance Army in eastern Africa and the Great Lakes region in central Africa. Recently, a group called Ansar Al-Charia had appeared in some countries of northern Africa. In Somalia, Al-Shabab continued to attack civilian populations and the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia. Al-Shabab was financed through different activities, such as illegal trade of coal, a complex system of taxes, and maritime piracy.

The political and security situation in Libya was also of serious concern, due to intense conflicts among armed military groups and parallel Government systems in Tobrouk and Tripoli. However, the most concerning was the apparent presence of the Islamic State in Libya. As for Boko Haram, it was necessary to analyse the context that gave rise to it. Several theories of its origin existed. According to some theories, it was a manifestation of difficult economic conditions in the region, whereas according to some other theories, it was a result of extreme criminality, combined with political instrumentalization. Since 2014, Boko Haram has expanded its activities beyond Nigeria’s borders into Cameroon, Niger and Chad. There was no doubt that Boko Haram had committed grave human rights violations. In its efforts to combat terrorism, the African Union was guided by a normative and institutional framework adopted in the past two decades. In order to coordinate their efforts to combat Boko Haram, in late 2014 and early 2015 the countries of the Commission of the Lake Chad Basin had decided to form a combined multinational force. Financial, technical and logistical aid of the United Nations for the combined multinational force would be of crucial importance. The current session of the Human Rights Council should send a clear message that the odious acts of Boko Haram would not go unpunished. Member States were encouraged to adopt the proposed resolution.

Statements by Concerned Countries

PIERRE MOUKOKO MBONJO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cameroon, thanked the President of the Council and the African Group for convening this Special Session and expressed condolences to Somalia for the loss of Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari. It was abundantly clear that Boko Haram had committed massive human rights violations in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. Cameroon had been attacked for the past 11 months; at first it was a collateral target and now it was a principal target. This transformation came about because Boko Haram was searching for a safe haven and food, and because of their intention to build a caliphate which would encompass a part of the national territory. The military stood firmly alone against the attacks of Boko Haram for about eight months, and had been successful in defending the national territory. The national army was a professional army which insisted on always respecting the law and human dignity. Currently, about 1,000 Boko Haram combatants were held in prisons in Cameroon, at great expense of the State, and they were treated humanely. Despite the horrible crimes committed by Boko Haram, Cameroon was firmly committed to respecting international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The only incident in the past months had occurred recently, whereby 75 Boko Haram militants had been killed in one of the prisons; this incident was being investigated and those responsible would be prosecuted. Cameroon did not have a bilateral agreement with Nigeria and could not cross the border in the context of anti-terrorist operations. There should be no confusion, stressed the Minister: Cameroon, which was being attacked, and this terrible terrorist group could not be put on the same level.

MAHAMAT ISSA HALIKIMI, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Chad, conveyed condolences to the family of Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari and to the people of Somalia. He thanked the Council for holding a Special Session on Boko Haram, noting that terrorist attacks on civilian populations and hostage taking had demonstrated how vulnerable the region was. Boko Haram had become a relentless enemy that aimed to destabilize the countries of western and central Africa. It prospered on the fertile ground of poverty and inaction of local authorities, and it was becoming more organized and professional. The crisis went hand in hand with widespread human rights violations. The affected countries faced constant shortage of commodities and rise of food prices, due to the reduced volume of agricultural production. Because of Boko Haram’s atrocities, thousands of villagers in the Lake Chad region had fled. Thousands of refugees had ended up on Chadian soil in the past several months, and the Government was not ready for that situation. The Government was focusing on providing direct food assistance, improving the protection of human rights, fighting against gender based violence, and strengthening public administration structures. African countries had to strengthen their voice in the global fight against terrorism. To achieve that, better coordination among African Governments was needed. The Government of Chad remained convinced that through the involvement of civil society, States could improve their security.

DANJUMA NANPON SHENI, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Nigeria, joined the Council in expressing heartfelt condolences to the Government of Somalia and to the family of late Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari. His death should be regarded as a catalyst to fight and defeat terrorism. The African Group was praised for its efforts to convene the Special Session of the Council. The Boko Haram insurgency had dominated discussions at various international fora, due to the grave human rights violations and vicious crimes that it had committed. High levels of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment had contributed to the rise of Boko Haram. The Boko Haram threat could not be addressed by a single country, but by a coordinated effort of affected countries. The number of internally displaced persons was estimated at 1.5 million, while another 650,000 were refugees. Support was needed to address the plight of those people. Nigeria had already set aside funds to renovate destroyed homes. The growing number of cross-border attacks by Boko Haram highlighted the need for regional and global action. The international community should be concerned about the networks that Boko Haram had created with other international armed groups, such as with Al-Shabab and the Islamic State. The decision of the Nigerian Government and of the neighbouring countries to deploy troops to fight Boko Haram was a legitimate one, and any unlawful conduct of the deployed troops was being promptly dealt with. All ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria were committed to the fight against Boko Haram. The Government placed great importance on the protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism and had thus invited representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the country.

Discussion

Latvia, speaking on behalf of the European Union, condemned in the strongest terms the widespread abuses and violations by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. Those increasingly violent and indiscriminate attacks had targeted civilians and caused displacement of half a million persons within Nigeria, while hundreds of thousands had fled across the border. The European Union was horrified to learn about another possible abduction of 400 women and children in Damasak and reiterated its support to Nigeria and all States in the region in addressing the challenges posed by Boko Haram.

Denmark, speaking in a Nordic statement on behalf of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, condemned in the strongest terms the continued atrocities committed by Boko Haram, including targeted killings and attacks on civilians, abductions, and sexual and gender-based violence. The Nordic countries welcomed efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees, and awaiting the operationalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force, welcomed the regional efforts from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon to contain and fight back the attacks by Boko Haram on civilians.

Morocco, speaking on behalf of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, expressed condolences to the country and family of Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari and said that the threat of terrorism by Boko Haram called for strong and coordinated action by the international community. The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie welcomed the recent decision by heads of African States to establish a Multinational Joint Task Force and welcomed the adoption by central African States of a regional strategy to combat Boko Haram.

Algeria, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said it was necessary to build regional and international partnerships capable of facing terrorist threats which were complex, transnational and evolving. To that end it was necessary to reinforce the security capacities of the threatened countries, improve information sharing, restrict the regional movement of terrorists, identify their safe havens, tap into their sources of funding, and fight against impunity.

Ethiopia, speaking on behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, welcomed the convening of the Special Session of the Council and condemned the terrorist attack on 27 March 2015 which killed Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari. Great concern was expressed about the growing attacks carried out by Boko Haram, which had resulted in the killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of public and private property. Criminal activities, such as abduction, sexual and gender-based violence, targeting of religious and ethnic groups, recruitment of children, and promotion of hate speech and propaganda by Boko Haram were condemned.

Tunisia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, reiterated its unshaken commitment to fight terrorism. In light of the criminal acts perpetrated against innocent civilians, and in the face of the real threat posed by Boko Haram, the Arab Group welcomed the Special Session of the Council and condemned the crimes and human rights violations committed by Boko Haram. The dangers posed by terrorist groups should be addressed through strengthened regional and international coordination. A multifaceted approach was necessary to fight terrorism, including investment in human development and sustainable economic development. Funding for those groups had to be cut off.

Zimbabwe, speaking on behalf of the Southern African Sub-region, strongly and unreservedly condemned the widespread and systematic violations and abuses of human rights by Boko Haram and remained disturbed by the dire humanitarian situation and displacement of victims. The transnational character of Boko Haram posed a threat to regional peace and security and defeating this group was of paramount importance. This required combined national and regional efforts robustly supported by the international community at large.

Netherlands condemned in the strongest possible terms the continued violence and abuses against civilians, which had led to extreme human suffering, and expressed concern about the humanitarian situation of internally displaced persons and refugees. The Boko Haram activities were a threat to peace and stability in the region and the Netherlands welcomed the increased cooperation between Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin to face this threat and underlined that the fight against terrorism should be fully in line with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

United States joined in condemning the shocking atrocities by Boko Haram which showed total disregard for the sanctity of human life. Its inhumanity would unite the world community and the United States was ready to continue to support the people and Governments of this region in the face of this threat. Lasting stability and real security required the protection of human rights, including independent judiciaries that upheld the rule of law, and police and security forces that respected human rights.

Estonia expressed concern about the human rights situation in Nigeria, in particular about the appalling abuses committed by Boko Haram. It stressed the importance of an urgent and comprehensive response to the insurgency and to combat terrorist and criminal acts perpetrated by Boko Haram. It welcomed and supported the decisions of the States of the region to deploy a multinational task force. All persons responsible for severe human rights violations had to be held accountable and there could be no impunity for such acts.

Morocco recognized the urgency for collective action in order to support the countries affected by Boko Haram. Morocco had for years drew the attention of the international community to the security risks of the proliferation of non-state actors in the Sahel and Saharan region of western Africa. The assassination of Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari had demonstrated that terrorism could hit anywhere and anytime. It was noted that the security and military approach to the problem of terrorism should not eclipse due attention to its underlying causes.

Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the Special Session of the Council and noted that massive human rights abuses of all kinds had reached such a scale that it was essential for the international community to respond appropriately. It was high time to stop Boko Haram. As a country where several religious groups co-existed, Côte d’Ivoire remained convinced that Boko Haram did not represent any religion or belief. The Human Rights Council should play a key role in the fight against the proliferation of terrorist groups.

Sierra Leone said that for the past six years, the extremist religious group Boko Haram had carried out violent attacks and waged terror on the villages in northern Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon. Military operations alone were not sufficient to effectively address the problem or defeat Boko Haram. Sierra Leone stressed the critical need to address the root causes of this brand of ideologist terrorism and to uncover and stifle the sources of funding of this militant group and bring to justice anyone who sought to support their activities.

Argentina condemned all terrorist acts and practices, and reaffirmed the need to continue to strengthen United Nations mechanisms to fight effectively against this serious threat. Argentina called upon all to cease financing terrorism and called on the international community to support the countries in the region to address root causes of terrorism. The fight against terrorism would be successful if it ensured larger participation of society, and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Russia was seriously concerned about the fate of Christians in the region and commended the African Group for developing a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism in Africa. It was not to be forgotten that unscrupulous foreign interventions gave rise to terrorism in the continent, as were the attempts to replace regimes in the Middle East with the help of militias. The international community should assist States in the region to combat terrorism in accordance with international law.

Germany condemned the actions by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger in the strongest possible terms. The instruments provided by the Human Rights Council had to form part of the international community’s response. The Special Session had to give rise to an analysis of all violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law in Nigeria and the region. That could be credible only if all violations and abuses were investigated. It was thus of utmost importance that true and full accountability was brought about.

United Kingdom expressed grave concern about the ongoing terrorist attacks by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries. More than 4,000 people were killed and at least 900 abducted last year. Around 1.5 million people were displaced and at least 3 million were adversely affected by the insurgency. It was essential that the international community continued to support Nigeria and its neighbours. It was also essential that efforts to tackle Boko Haram were fully compliant with international human rights law.

United Arab Emirates noted that the Special Session was being held in the alarming context of terrorist acts and human rights violations perpetrated by Boko Haram. The terrorists considered that women and girls had no right to learn, which led to attacks on schools. Those terrible acts were abject and unprecedented. Terrorism was an ongoing threat not only in Africa, but throughout the world. The international community should join forces and support the multinational task force of the African Union.

Montenegro condemned all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by Boko Haram, and expressed deep concern about the dire situation in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Nigeria. International humanitarian efforts should be appropriately coordinated by the United Nations. Boko Haram posed a growing threat to peace and stability in the region and an urgent and comprehensive response to prevent further activities of Boko Haram was needed.

China expressed condolences for the unfortunate death of Ambassador Bair-Bari of Somalia and added that terrorism was universal scourge, with the growing activity of extremist terrorist groups. The international community should, with respect for national sovereignty, support regional efforts to combat terrorism and support the concerned States to address the root causes of terrorism. China was ready to continue to vigorously support African countries in their counter-terrorism efforts.

Republic of Korea strongly denounced the inhumane crimes, and all forms and manifestations of terrorism, and said that the gravity of human rights abuses by Boko Haram underlined the threat that this group posed to fundamental human rights. The Governments of affected countries should ensure that all alleged crimes were investigated and perpetrators brought to justice, while the international community should support those countries in their efforts to address the threat of terrorism and provide humanitarian support to the affected.

Saudi Arabia said that acts of Boko Haram had exceeded all limits and its malice had impacted the whole African continent. It was unfortunate that this group was hiding behind the pure principles of Islam, and this had led to hatred and manifestations of anti-Islamism worldwide. Saudi Arabia was fully ready to promote and protect human rights, as witnessed by the establishment of the Centre to Fight Terrorism, to which it had contributed $ 10 million.

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