The UN has called on Nigerian government to ease abortion laws for Boko Haram victims ..UN Human Rights Chief, Zeid Al-Hussein, made the call while discussing with the Human Rights Council on Boko Haram'' rights and violations ,on Thursday in New York ..He appealed to Nigerian authorities to ease abortion restrictions for women and girls who have become pregnant after being sexually enslaved, raped and forced into so-called “marriages” by Boko Haram fighters.
He noted many formerly captive women and young girls, who are pregnant have expressed their wish to terminate these unwanted pregnancies.
“I note that abortion is legal in Nigeria only when the life of the woman is at risk.
“Human rights mechanisms have consistently called for ensuring access to safe abortion services beyond the protection of the woman’s life, including in cases of rape, and to preserve the health of the woman.Taking this into account, I strongly urge the most compassionate possible interpretation of the current regulations in Nigeria to include the risk of suicide and risks to mental health for women and young girls, who have suffered such appalling cruelty.