UN Security Council Vows to Bring Boko Haram Sponsors To Justice

Abiodun Oluwarotimi — May 11, 2014 The United Nations Security Council has vowed to ensure that the financiers and sponsors of the Boko haram sect are brought to justice The Council President, Ambassador Oh Joon of the Republic of Korea, who said this in a statement obtained by LEADERSHIP Sunday yesterday also condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks committed by Boko Haram that occurred in Gamboru Ngala, Nigeria on May 5 causing hundreds of deaths and injuries. In the statement, members of the Security Council urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Nigerian authorities. The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at the terrorist attacks conducted by Boko Haram since 2009, which have caused large-scale and devastating loss of life and represent a threat to the stability and peace of West and Central Africa. The Council reminded states that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian laws. The body reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations was criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group, members of the Security Council strongly condemned all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including those involving sexual and gender-based violence, abductions and attacks against schools and hospitals, including their personnel, and underline that all perpetrators of such acts must be held accountable at national or international levels, and that some of those acts may amount to crimes against humanity under international law.