USCIRF Calls for Special Envoy to Address Nigeria’s Religious Freedom Violations
USCIRF has called on the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin to address severe violations of religious freedom. The report identifies Nigeria, along with several other countries, as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs). Additionally, it emphasizes the need for enhanced measures to combat the violence perpetrated by militant groups and the enforcement of stringent blasphemy laws by the government.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that the Trump administration appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin to address ongoing violations of religious freedom in the region. This recommendation, part of USCIRF’s annual report, aims to enhance U.S. diplomatic efforts in combating these atrocities, highlighting the urgent need for intervention in an area plagued by violence justified on religious grounds.
USCIRF has expressed concerns over the Nigerian government’s inadequate response to violent attacks perpetrated by nonstate actors. These groups, including Islamist extremists and Fulani militants, have caused significant harm to religious communities across Nigeria. Additionally, USCIRF urged the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria alongside Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs), emphasizing the need for greater recognition of these issues.
The Commission’s report further calls for the redesignation of a total of 12 countries as CPCs, which include notable mentions such as China, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, USCIRF recommends that Algeria and Azerbaijan remain on the Special Watch List while adding ten more countries that warrant monitoring for religious freedom violations.
Amidst these recommendations, USCIRF has specifically highlighted Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), among other militant groups, as Entities of Particular Concern. The enforcement of blasphemy laws in Nigeria is also criticized, noting that these laws lead to imprisonment for individuals perceived to have insulted religions. Several individuals, including humanists and Muslims, remain incarcerated under controversial charges relating to blasphemy.
Reports indicate that citizens of Nigeria, especially from indigenous religious communities, faced increased harassment from state authorities. USCIRF noted that federal and state governments have continued to tolerate or inadequately respond to violent attacks justified by religious ideologies. Notable incidents of religious violence were documented in 2024, exacerbating the dire religious freedom landscape in Nigeria.
The USCIRF’s recommendations underscore the critical state of religious freedom in Nigeria, advocating for a dedicated Special Envoy to facilitate U.S. involvement in addressing the heightened risks of oppression and violence rooted in religious extremism. The persistence of blasphemy laws and the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities highlight a pressing need for international attention and intervention to safeguard religious liberties in the region.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
