Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on whether the Nigerian organization People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad (Boko Haram) meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.
States that nothing in this Act may be construed to infringe upon Nigeria's sovereignty to combat militant or terrorist groups operating inside its boundaries.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5822 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5822
To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a foreign
terrorist organization, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 17, 2012
Mr. Meehan (for himself, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Rogers of Alabama,
Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Cravaack, Mr. Long, Mr. Daniel
E. Lungren of California, and Mr. Dent) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
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 2012''.
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 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''), 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) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) 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; and
(B) 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.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to
infringe upon the sovereignty of Nigeria to combat militant or
terrorist groups operating inside the boundaries of Nigeria.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
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