II 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 3249 

To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist 

organization, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 24, 2012 

Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts (for himself, Mr. CHAMBLISS, and Mr. RISCH) 

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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Boko Haram Terrorist 

5 Designation Act of 2012’’. 

6 SEC. 2. REPORT ON DESIGNATION OF BOKO HARAM AS A 

7 FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. 

8 (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 

9 (1) On August 26, 2011, a vehicle borne explo10 sive device (VBIED) was detonated after being drivVerDate Mar 15 2010 01:55 May 30, 2012 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S3249.IS S3249

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•S 3249 IS

1 en into the lobby of a United Nations facility in 

2 Abuja, Nigeria. At least 21 people died as a result 

3 of the explosion, and the Islamist militant organiza4 tion commonly called ‘‘Boko Haram’’ claimed re5 sponsibility. 

6 (2) On December 25, 2011, a series of bombs 

7 were detonated across northern Nigeria. Some of 

8 these attacks killed worshippers attending Christmas 

9 Day services, and killed an estimated total of 41 

10 people. Boko Haram claimed responsibility. 

11 (3) From their inception, Boko Haram has 

12 killed hundreds of innocent civilians and has contin13 ually enhanced its lethality, pledging to continue its 

14 use of terrorist tactics. In a July 2010 statement, 

15 Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, issued sup16 port to al Qaeda and made threatening remarks to 

17 the United States. 

18 (4) On January 31, 2012, in testimony before 

19 Congress, Director of National Intelligence James 

20 Clapper included Boko Haram in his worldwide 

21 threat assessment, stating, ‘‘There are also fears 

22 that Boko Haram—elements of which have engaged 

23 al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)—is inter24 ested in hitting Western targets, such as the U.S. 

25 Embassy and hotels frequented by Westerners.’’. 


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1 (5) On February 23, 2012, United States Am2 bassador to Nigeria Terrence P. McCulley indicated 

3 Boko Haram’s danger was expanding. He said, 

4 ‘‘We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen 

5 increased lethality. We saw at last a part of the 

6 group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the 

7 international community.’’. 

8 (6) On February 27, 2012, at a conference held 

9 by the African Society of the National Summit on 

10 Africa, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria 

11 Howard F. Jeter described Boko Haram by saying, 

12 ‘‘It is a terrorist group. If you kill 28 innocent peo13 ple worshipping in a church, it is a terrorist group.’’. 

14 (7) The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom 

15 of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a major 

16 United States ally, publicly refers to Boko Haram as 

17 the ‘‘main terrorist threat in Nigeria’’. 

18 (b) REPORT.— 

19 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 

20 the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

21 of State shall submit to the appropriate congres22 sional committees— 

23 (A) a detailed report on whether the Nige24 rian organization named ‘‘People Committed to 

25 the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and 


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1 Jihad’’ (commonly known as ‘‘Boko Haram’’ 

2 and by other aliases, including Ansaru and 

3 Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad), 

4 meets the criteria for designation as a foreign 

5 terrorist organization under section 219 of the 

6 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 

7 1189); and 

8 (B) if the Secretary of State determines 

9 that Boko Haram does not meet such criteria, 

10 a detailed justification as to which criteria have 

11 not been met. 

12 (2) FORM.—The report required by paragraph 

13 (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may 

14 include a classified annex if appropriate. 

15 (3) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT16 TEES DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘ap17 propriate congressional committees’’ means— 

18 (A) the Committee on Homeland Security 

19 and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on 

20 Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Re21 lations, and the Select Committee on Intel22 ligence of the Senate; and 

23 (B) the Committee on Homeland Security, 

24 the Committee on Armed Services, the Com25 mittee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent 


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1 Select Committee on Intelligence of the House 

2 of Representatives. 

3 (c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 

4 may be construed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the 

5 Government of Nigeria to combat militant or terrorist 

6 groups operating inside the boundaries of Nigeria. 

Æ 


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