S. 198: Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2013
113th Congress, 2013–2015. Text as of Jan 31, 2013 (Introduced).
Status & Summary
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II
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 198
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 31, 2013
Mr. Risch (for himself,
Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Coburn, Mr.
Burr, Mr. Rubio,
Mr. Moran, Ms.
Ayotte, and Mr. Coats)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Foreign
Relations
A BILL
To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a
foreign terrorist organization, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2013.
Report on
designation of Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organization
Findings
Congress
finds the following:
On August 26,
2011, a vehicle borne explosive device (VBIED) was detonated after being driven
into the lobby of a United Nations facility in Abuja, Nigeria. At least 21
people died as a result of the explosion, and the Islamist militant
organization commonly called Boko Haram claimed
responsibility.
On December 25,
2011, a series of bombs were detonated across northern Nigeria. Some of these
attacks killed worshippers attending Christmas Day services, and killed an
estimated total of 41 people. Boko Haram claimed responsibility.
From their
inception, Boko Haram has killed hundreds of innocent civilians and has
continually enhanced its lethality, pledging to continue its use of terrorist
tactics. In a July 2010 statement, Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, issued
support to al Qaeda and made threatening remarks to the United States.
On January 31, 2012, in testimony before
Congress, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper included Boko Haram
in his worldwide threat assessment, stating,
There are also fears that Boko Haram—elements of which have engaged al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)—is interested in hitting Western targets, such as the U.S. Embassy and hotels frequented by Westerners..
On February 23,
2012, United States Ambassador to Nigeria Terrence P. McCulley indicated Boko
Haram’s danger was expanding. He said,
We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen increased lethality. We saw at last a part of the group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the international community..
On February 27,
2012, at a conference held by the African Society of the National Summit on
Africa, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria Howard F. Jeter described
Boko Haram by saying,
It is a terrorist group. If you kill 28 innocent people worshipping in a church, it is a terrorist group..
The Foreign Office
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a major United
States ally, publicly refers to Boko Haram as the
main terrorist threat in Nigeria.
Report
In
general
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the intelligence
community, submit to the appropriate congressional committees—
a detailed report
on whether the Nigerian organization named People Committed to the
Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad (commonly known as
Boko Haram and by other aliases, including Ansaru and Jama'atu
Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad), meets the criteria for designation as a
foreign terrorist organization under
section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); and
if the Secretary
of State determines that Boko Haram does not meet such criteria, a detailed
justification as to which criteria have not been met.
Form
The
report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but
may include a classified annex if appropriate.
Definitions
In
this subsection:
Appropriate
congressional committees
The term appropriate congressional
committees means—
the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Armed
Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on
Intelligence of the Senate; and
the
Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.
Intelligence
community
The term intelligence community has the
meaning given that term in
section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947
(50 U.S.C. 401a(4)).
Sense of
Congress
It is the sense of
Congress that Boko Haram meets the criteria for designation as a foreign
terrorist organization under
section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1189) and should be designated as such.
Rule of
construction
Nothing in this
Act may be construed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the Government of
Nigeria to combat militant or terrorist groups operating inside the boundaries
of Nigeria.
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