BBOG Group Wins 2016 International Human Rights Prize
Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Government of Argentina has awarded the #BringBackOurGirls movement (BBOG) the 2016 International Human Rights Prize – Emilio F. Mignone – for work in advocacy towards respect for human rights worldwide.
The group spokesperson, Sesugh Akume, noted that the award ceremony would take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Buenos Aires.
The #Bring’sBackOurGirls is being represented at the event by two members of the movement – Aisha Yesufu, who is the Chairperson of the Strategic Team, and Dr. Chinwe Madubuike, a member of the team.
Akume hinted that while in Argentina, they would as part of the award ceremonies, meet with the human rights group – Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo – a citizens’ group with a historical origin similar to #BringBackOurGirls.
According to him, “It is made up of grandmothers, mothers and other citizens who have since 1977 been advocating for the return of an estimated 500 children abducted or born in detention during the military era and illegally adopted, with their identities hidden.”
He explained further that the grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo had advocated weekly in the last thirty nine years.
Their advocacy bears strong similarity with #BringBackOurGirls which has been on a daily campaign since April 30, 2014 for the rescue of now 196 out of the 219 #ChibokGirls abducted in their school on April 14, 2014.
Other engagements the spokesperson disclosed, “Are with Equipo Argentino de Trabajo e Investigación Psicosocial (EATIP – Argentine Psychosocial Work and Research Team), the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EEAF, Equipo Argentino de Antropología Forense). Special Representative for human rights in the international stage, Ambassador Leandro Despouy; General Director for Human Rights, Minister María Gabriela Quinteros; Director for Subsaharan Africa; and Director for Women’s Issues, Minister María Luisa Martino.
Centre for Legal and Social Studies (CELS, Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales). Visit to the ex ESMA (ex Naval School of Mechanics), visit to the Parque de la Memoria (Memory Park). Monument to the victims of state terrorism, and conclude with a dinner with the Mignone family.”
