A/HRC/S-23/2 Recalling the need to strengthen international, regional and subregional cooperation to efficiently prevent and counter terrorism and the conditions conducive to terrorism, including by strengthening the national capacity of the States concerned, Reaffirming also that the promotion and protection of human rights for all and the rule of law are essential to the fight against terrorism, and recognizing that effective counter-terrorism measures and the protection of human rights are not conflicting goals but are complementary and mutually reinforcing, Expressing concern at the continuing increase in incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking by terrorists and their impact on the realization and enjoyment of human rights, Noting with deep concern that the activities of Boko Haram significantly disrupt the socioeconomic life of the populations in the north-eastern part of Nigeria and neighbouring areas of the Lake Chad Basin, in northern Cameroon, in Chad and the extreme east of the Niger, Strongly condemning the heinous terrorist activities of Boko Haram, which endanger the peace, security and stability of the entire region, Reaffirming that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality civilization or ethnic group, Deeply concerned by the continued atrocities and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law committed by the terrorist organization Boko Haram, including those involving the targeting of civilians, including children, school girls, women, minority religious and ethnic groups, educational institutions, market places public transport, as well as the recruitment and use of children, sexual and gender based violence, the destruction and confiscation of public and private property, and the use of minors and forced recruitment of female suicide bombers, including children and female suicide bombers, Emphasizing that, by committing these terrorist acts, Boko Haram gravely abuses human rights and violates international humanitarian law, radically hindering the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the areas where these attacks take place, Strongly condemning and also rejecting the cowardly abduction by Boko Haram, on 14 April 2014, of more than 200 girls from a school in the city of Chibok in the Borno State of Nigeria, whose fate remains unknown, as well as other subsequent abductions, and demands the immediate and unconditional release of the high school girls and other abductees and expresses its solidarity with their families, Expressing its solidarity with the people of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the Niger who suffer the hardships of the terrorist activities of Boko Haram, and takes note of the efforts of the Governments of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, the Niger and Benin to respond to such acts of terrorism, Welcoming the leading role played by the African Union and by subregional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Lake Chad Basin Commission to address the threats posed by Boko Haram, and expressing support for their aim to fight the terrorist organization Boko Haram, Declaring itself deeply concerned about the large number of displaced persons and refugees in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, the Niger and Benin, 4