The Boki are found in the Cross River State of Nigeria (Post Express Wired 15 Oct. 1999). Information posted on the Centre for Gender and Refugee Studies, University of California, Hastings College of the Law regards a Boki asylum seeker from Nigeria (7 Aug. 2000). The claimant was granted refugee status in the USA on account of "her membership in the particualr social group of women of the Boki tribe who do not have protection against FGM (female genital mutilation), but are opposed to the practice," and on account of "political opinion imputed to the girls and women who undergo the FGM procedure in an attempt to make their opinions conform to traditional concepts" (ibid.).

According to a 7 July 2000 Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report, FGM and forced marriage involving young girls under the age of 18 was made illegal in Cross River State. The ban is reportedly part of a bill aimed at stopping violence and abuse against girls. "Anyone who contravenes the statute will pay a fine of between 1,000 naira (US$9) and 10,000 naira (US$90) or spend one to three years in prison." The ban was waiting to be signed into law by Governor Donald Duke (ibid.; Vanguard 12 July 2000; ibid., 21 Apr. 2000).

No reports on the cultural practices of the Boki could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Centre for Gender and Refugee Studies, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California. 7 August 2000. "Gender Asylum Case Summary, Case Summary 81." http://www.unhastings.edu/cgrs/summaries/51-100/summry81.html [Accessed: 10 Oct. 2000]

Post Express Wired. 15 October 1999. Jude Okwe. "PDP Chieftain Wades into Cocoa War in C/River." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...52dc?OpenDocument&Highlight=2, boki [Accessed: 10 Oct. 2000]

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 20 July 2000. "Nigeria: Female Genital Mutilation Outlawed in Cross River." http://www.ntrystories/nigeria/200000720.phtml [Accessed: 10 October 2000]
Vanguard. 12 July 2000. "Rivers Set to Eradicate Female Circumcision, Says Gov. Odili." http://www.vanguardngr.com/wk207200/nd612070.htm [Accessed: 11 Oct. 2000]

_____. 21 April 2000. "C'River House Bans Female Circumcision." http://www/vanguardngr.com/va/042000/Nd321040.htm [Accessed: 11 Oct. 2000]

Africa News Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series.

Amnesty International Report 1999-2000.

Country Reports for 1998-1999.

Keesing's Record of World Events.

Resource Centre. Country File. Nigeria.

Search Engines including:

Google

Mamma

Metacrawler

Internet sites including,

Africa News.

Post Express Wired.