Boko Haram: UN experts to visit Nigeria to assess rehabilitation and reintegration of women and children

Three United Nations human rights experts will visit Nigeria from January 18-22, 2016 to examine the measures to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the women and children who escaped or were liberated from Boko Haram captivity.

“All measures taken or intended to be taken to ensure the right to care, recovery and reintegration of these women and children should comply with international human rights norms and standards,” said the UN Special Rapporteurs on sale of children, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, on slavery, Urmila Boola, and on right to health, Dainus Pūras.

“In that regard, we look forward to engaging with all parties and putting our expertise at their disposal,” they noted. The three independent experts are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to promote comprehensive strategies to prevent and protect the rights of women and children who were subjected to heinous forms of exploitation amounting to sale and slavery.

During their five-day visit, the experts will gather information on the various initiatives adopted by governmental, international and non-governmental actors to support these women and children to cope with immense suffering, trauma, stigma and possibly return to normality.

The Special Rapporteurs, who visit Nigeria at the invitation of the Government, will be meeting representatives from various Ministries, civil society and relevant UN agencies. They also are expected to visit detention centres.

At the end of their visit, the experts will share with the media their preliminary observations and recommendations at a press conference at the Hilton Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, on 22 January 2016 at 14h00. Access to the press conference will be limited to journalists.

The Special Rapporteurs will present a report on this visit to the UN Human Rights Council in the course of 2016.