Scores rally for Nigerian schoolgirls’ release

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Scores of Afghan girls and civil society activists rallied in Bamyan City for the safe release of kidnapped Nigerian school students on humanitarian grounds.

Humanitarian experts fear that more than 200 of the Nigerian girls, kidnapped by Boko Haram, could face a life of misery as slaves or child brides in markets if they are not freed soon.

Women’s rights campaigners and human rights groups across the globe have decried the mass kidnappings, urging the international community to stand up for the girls.

At a rally in the central province of Bamyan, nearly 80 girls and civil society members condemned the kidnappings as an unwarranted and inhuman action.

One participant Tayyeba Khawari told Pajhwok Afghan News they slammed the incident in the strongest terms and asked the militant outfit to respect human rights.

Islam gives girls the right to education, just like boys, she said, seeing no justification for imposing restrictions on females. She called for the early release of the students. 

Civil society activist Ismail Zaki said Boko Haram masqueraded as an Islamic organisation but its actions were un-Islamic.

At the end of the demonstration, the protestors including the deputy governor called for the safe recovery of the girls as soon as possible.

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