Article 15 Communication to the ICC Office of the Prosecutor Regarding Boko Haram’s Targeted Abduction of Women and Children as Genocide
GJC submits that, based on the information set out herein, there is a reasonable basis to believe that Boko Haram is perpetrating genocide against the Christian community in northeastern Nigeria, including by forcibly transferring or abducting children, with the intent to destroy the group, as such, at least, “in part.” Due to the absence of national laws implementing the Rome Statute or the Genocide Convention, the absence of domestic criminal proceedings with respect to those bearing the greatest responsibility for these crimes, and in the light of the gravity of the acts committed, GJC further submits that the case would be admissible under Article 17 of the Rome Statute. Moreover, based on the available information, there is no reason to believe that the opening of a preliminary examination by the OTP at this time would in any way contravene the interests of justice. Accordingly, there is a reasonable basis to proceed pursuant to Article 15.