The Amnesty International, AI, has called on the Federal Government not to allow the trauma suffered by the 293 women and girls that were recently rescued by the Nigerian Army to be aggravated by holding onto them for too long in the name of security screening.
The group, in a statement by its Africa Director in charge of Research and Advocacy, Netsanet Belay, also called on the Federal Government to respect the privacy of those who were either rescued or escaped from the insurgents.
“What they need now is medical and psychological care and support and privacy. The government must now ensure that it doesn’t add to their suffering with lengthy detention and security screening, which can only add to their suffering and plight. Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to ensure that their physical and psychological well-being is paramount,” it said.
Describing the rescue of the women and girls as an encouraging development, the AI stressed the need for immediate medical and psycho-social services to be provided for them.
The group said: “This development is just cause for celebration and undoubtedly an immense relief to the women, girls and their families. But this is just the tip of the iceberg; there are thousands more women and girls, and men and boys who have been abducted by Boko Haram.
“The trauma suffered by the women and girls is truly horrific. Some have been repeatedly raped, sold into sexual slavery or indoctrinated and even forced to fight for Boko Haram.
“The Nigerian government should ensure that the privacy of those who were ‘rescued’ or escaped is respected and should also take other measures to ensure that they are able to reintegrate to family and community life.”
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