The International Christian Concern (ICC) published a report on Wednesday highlighting the alarming state of religious freedom for Christians in Nigeria.
The country has witnessed a stark decline in religious tolerance over the past two decades, with the situation deteriorating further since the emergence of Islamic extremist groups in 2009.
The Christian community in Nigeria has faced unprecedented violence, resulting in the deaths of over 50,000 Christians at the hands of insurgent groups. The silence from Western nations on this humanitarian crisis is deeply concerning and has been likened to a genocide, Prosecution.org reports.
The International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) mandates the United States to promote and protect religious freedom worldwide, and to hold countries accountable for violations.
However, despite Nigeria’s egregious religious freedom abuses, the U.S. State Department has consistently failed to designate it as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), with the exception of 2020. This omission not only weakens the impact of U.S. foreign policy on international religious freedom but also allows the Nigerian government to escape accountability for its role in the persecution of Christians, perpetuating a culture of impunity, the report said.
The ICC report provides a comprehensive examination of Nigeria’s severe religious freedom violations, presenting a compelling case for its designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
The report thoroughly documents evidence, relying on open-source research, field staff observations, and firsthand testimony from ICC’s March 2024 advocacy trip to Nigeria.
The evidence demonstrates Nigeria’s clear violation of the legal standards for CPC designation under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). The report concludes with concrete policy recommendations for Congress and the U.S. State Department, outlining effective measures to address the alarming persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“Every human being has the natural right to practice their faith freely,” said McKenna Wendt, Advocacy Manager for ICC. “For Christians in Nigeria, this right is threatened daily by unchecked terrorist violence and complicit government officials. The United States has long been a global leader in promoting religious freedom and now is not the time to waiver in our commitment. We urge the State Department to immediately designate Nigeria as a CPC.”
The pleas of Nigerian Christians can no longer be disregarded. It is imperative that the United States responds to their urgent calls for assistance and support, providing the necessary aid to alleviate their suffering and ensure their safety and well-being, the report said.