[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 252. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Menendez) proposed an amendment to the 
resolution S. Res. 65, supporting efforts to bring an end to violence 
perpetrated by Boko Haram, and urging the Government of Nigeria to 
conduct transparent, peaceful, and credible elections; as follows:

       Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the 
     following: ``That the Senate--
       (1) condemns Boko Haram for its violent attacks, 
     particularly the indiscriminate targeting of civilians, 
     especially women and girls, and the use of children as 
     fighters and suicide bombers;
       (2) stands with--
       (A) the people of Nigeria in their right to live free from 
     fear or intimidation by state or nonstate actors, regardless 
     of their ethnic, religious, or regional affiliation;
       (B) the people of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger who are 
     increasingly at risk of becoming victims of Boko Haram's 
     violence; and
       (C) the international community in its efforts to defeat 
     Boko Haram;
       (3) supports the Abuja Accord, and calls on candidates, 
     party officials, and adherents of all political movements to 
     comply with the code of conduct spelled out therein, by 
     refraining from any rhetoric or action that seeks to demonize 
     or delegitimize opponents, sow division among Nigerians, or 
     otherwise inflame tensions;
       (4) condemns any and all abuses of civilians by security 
     forces of the Government of Nigeria;
       (5) urges the Government of Nigeria to--
       (A) adhere to the new timeline for elections announced by 
     INEC on February 7, 2015;
       (B) refrain from using security concerns as a pretext for 
     impeding the democratic process and using the security 
     apparatus for political purposes in connection with the 
     elections;
       (C) ensure elections are credible, transparent, and 
     peaceful;
       (D) prioritize the safety and security of Nigerians 
     vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks;
       (E) implement a comprehensive, civilian security-focused 
     response to defeat Boko Haram that addresses political and 
     economic grievances of citizens in the north;
       (F) improve the capacity and conduct of Nigeria's security 
     forces, including respect for human rights, and take steps to 
     hold accountable through a transparent process those members 
     of the security forces responsible for abuses;
       (G) recognize that security forces are intended to protect 
     the safety and security of all citizens equally; and
       (H) cooperate with regional and international partners to 
     defeat Boko Haram;
       (6) urges all Nigerians to engage in the electoral process, 
     to insist on full enfranchisement, and to reject inflammatory 
     or divisive rhetoric or actions; and
       (7) reaffirms that the people of the United States will 
     continue to stand with the people of Nigeria in support of 
     peace and democracy.
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