In marking the second year anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 Chibok school girls, a United Nations and African human rights group of experts have called on terror sect, Boko Haram, to reveal the location of the girls, who were abducted from their school in 2014.

The group of experts made the appeal in a statement that was issued in New York on Tuesday, April 12.

They also urged the Nigerian government to liaise with the parents of the girls, saying that the parents have “basic right to be kept informed about the plight of their loved ones has largely been ignored.”

“In the last two years, in spite of re-assurances from those at the highest level of the Nigerian government, the parents have not seen any concrete progress in locating and liberating their daughters.”

“The lack of access to information increases the suffering of the abductees’ families through false hopes and frustrations.”

The group further stated that Nigerian authorities should disclose information to the girls’ parents whom are deeply worried over their kidnapped children.

“The grievances of the families and their most basic right to be kept informed about the plight of their loved ones has largely been ignored.”

“We are nonetheless seriously concerned by the absence of follow-up in the provision of care, recovery and reintegration measures for victims of sexual violence,” they noted.

“The reintegration and rehabilitation of women and children are essential in the path towards lasting peace,” the statement said.

Recalling an earlier joint fact-finding visit to Nigeria by the UN Special Rapporteurs on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, the group stated that: “Both the Nigerian authorities and the international community should make it clear that all alleged crimes perpetrated by Boko Haram will be promptly, thoroughly and independently investigated.

“And, those responsible, directly or as commanders or superiors, should be brought to justice. The declaration by the African Union making this year the African Year of Human Rights with a specific focus on women’s rights should be an additional call to action for African States and the international community.”

“They should actively support Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram, and also in addressing deep-rooted human rights violations such as gender-based violence and discrimination,” the experts said.

Mazi Emeka