CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE REACTS TO TWO BOMBS BLAMED ON THE EXTREMIST GROUP BOKO HARAM THAT EXPLODED THIS WEEKEND AT A CROWDED MOSQUE AND AN ELITE MUSLIM RESTAURANT IN NIGERIA'S CENTRAL CITY OF JOS, KILLING 44 PEOPLE

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Senior Member on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Judiciary Committee Founder and Co-Chair of the House Congressional Nigerian Caucus, Co-Chair of the House Congressional Children's Caucus, released the following statement regarding the recent bombings by Boko Haram this past weekend in Nigeria:

"During this holy month of Ramadan, I am in support of the Nigerian people's security and their right to freedom of worship. This past weekend, two bombs allegedly planted and detonated by the extremist group Boko Haram exploded at a crowded mosque and restaurant as people said their evening prayers and were breaking their fast for the day in Nigeria's central city of Jos, killing 44 people. Sixty-seven other people were wounded in the attacks Sunday night and are being treated at hospitals in the area. Last year I led a Congressional Delegation to Nigeria where we were briefed on the horrific atrocities Boko Haram is inflicting on residents of Nigeria and I received an update on the whereabouts of the kidnapped girls from the Government Secondary School. A few months back I was pleased to hear of the rescue from Boko Haram terror camp in the Sambisa Forest of some girls. Over a year later I remain extremely concerned about the abduction of some 200 girls. I am encouraged by President Muhammadu Buhari's commitment to ensuring the security of the Nigerian people. I and my colleagues stand ready to work with the Nigerian government and people to maintain peace and security in Nigeria. My heart goes out to their families, and I am praying that they will soon be united with their children. During my visit to Nigeria we met with government officials and others to discuss what is currently being done to bring these girls back to their families immediately.

"As a Senior Member on the House Homeland Security Committee I know that children's rights are human rights, and these types of attacks, specifically targeting of schools, are strictly prohibited under international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Schools are places of refuge and safety, where children should be allowed to learn and grow without fearing harm coming to them. Girls and young women around the world absolutely must be allowed to go to school peacefully and free from intimidation, persecution and all other forms of discrimination.

"It has been over a year since Boko Haram extremists kidnapped more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls, some of their parents have died. We must Bring Back Our Girls Now!!!!!!! To put an end to this senseless violence I proposed that a victims fund be created immediately for these girls and their families, and this is why I wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to set up a victim support fund for Nigerians who have been victims of Boko Haram's scourge. Nigeria must also collaborate with the African Union and U.N. Peace Keepers to locate these missing girls and start providing armed protection for all schools in Nigeria where their youth go to learn.

"The members of Boko Haram are thugs and must be brought to justice. This outrageous conduct cannot be tolerated or overlooked. Not only is it a violation of the girls' human rights -- it is also contrary to United States policy supporting and promoting equal access to education and economic opportunity for women and girls."

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Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas's 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security