Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2013

Bill Number: 
S. 198
Bill Status: 
Bill introduced in Committee
Bill Location: 
Senate
Date of Last Action: 
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Link to entire bill at the Library of Congress site.
Country(s): 
Nigeria
Relevant Text: 

A BILL

To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organization, and for other purposes.

 

  • Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 

  • This Act may be cited as the `Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2013'.

 

SEC. 2. REPORT ON DESIGNATION OF BOKO HARAM AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.

 

  • (a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

 

    • (1) 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.

 

    • (2) 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.

 

    • (3) 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.

 

    • (4) 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.'.

 

    • (5) 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.'.

 

    • (6) 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.'.

 

    • (7) 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'.

 

  • (b) Report-

 

    • (1) 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) 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

 

      • (B) 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.

 

    • (2) FORM- The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if appropriate.

 

    • (3) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:

 

      • (A) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The term `appropriate congressional committees' means--

 

        • (i) 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

 

        • (ii) 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.

 

      • (B) 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)).

 

SEC. 3. 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.

 

SEC. 4. 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.