MICHAEL M. HONDA COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

17TH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA SUBCOMMITTEES:COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE

WASHINGTON OFFICE: LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

1713 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING EDUCATIONWASHINGTON, DC 20515 _______

PHONE: 1202) 225—2631 SENIOR WHIPFAX: (202) 225—2699

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May 9, 2104The PresidentThe White HouseWashington, DC

Dear President Obama:

Mr. President, knowing of your longstanding interest in promoting fundamental human rightsand freedoms, we write to express concern over the recent abduction of over 200 girls in Nigerialast month, and the at least eight kidnapped earlier this week. This brazen attack is only the latestof Boko Haram’s repeated and well-publicized attacks throughout the north of the country. Weurge your administration to use every avenue possible to assist in the immediate recovery of themissing girls and in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The group Boko Haram, which the State Department has designated as a Foreign TerroristOrganization, has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and threatens to sell the girls into thehuman trafficking market. Boko Haram has continually condemned education for youngwomen—their name loosely translates as “Western education is forbidden.” In Nigeria, 40% ofthe population is under the age of 15. Boko Haram seeks to prevent access to education for theseyoung people, which is vital to keeping communities productively employed, and in preventingand resolving conflict.

The mass kidnapping and threat of human trafficking are human right violations that cannot betolerated. Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery, which America must proactivelyseek to end. We call on you to lead in seeking action at the United Nations to unite the globalcommunity behind this cause.

We believe there is much more the United States government should do to address the growingthreat Boko Haram poses to international peace and security. We urge you to work towardsadding Boko Haram, and the splinter faction, Ansaru to the United Nations Security Council’s

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Al Qaida Sanctions List, the mechanism by which international sanctions are imposed on AlQaida and Al-Qaida linked organizations. While the Department of State officially designatedthe group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in November of 2013, Boko Haram’s addition tothe Security Council’s Sanctions List would further curtail its terrorist activities. In addition toefforts with the United Nations, creating a strong working relationship with the African Union isalso important to bringing about a sustainable peace in the region.

The Administration’s efforts this week to form an interdisciplinary team to assist Nigerianauthorities in rescuing these young girls is a positive step forward that we applaud. We standcommitted to supporting the Administration as it provides assistance in the recovery of thekidnapped victims, and we thank you for your timely response to the incident and call for justicefor the victims.

Sincerely,

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