CHRISTIANNEWS.COM- In a letter addressed to the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken of the United States, a group of 33 organizations, asked Blinken to name Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
This request is made when a country “has engaged in” or tolerates “particularly serious violations of religious liberty”reports CBN News.
The group also asked the secretary to designate a special envoy to investigate the religious persecutionand make recommendations, in consultation with local representatives.
Reason for request
Islamic extremist groups, including Boko Haram, the Islamic State, or radical Muslims, operate freely in the West African countryand attack Christians, in their relentless attacks on villages, across the West African country.
The Fulani were the first groups to adopt Islam, engaging in holy wars, or Jihads, in the 16th century that established them as a dominant social and economic force in West Africa, according to the WorldWatch Monitor.
The group’s letter also made reference to the report of the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), citing that from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, 4,000 Christians and 2,000 Muslims were killed; which indicates, “that Christians are 7.8 times more likely to die in attacks, than Muslims,” the letter explains.
Therefore, it is shown that Christians are specifically being targeted by terrorists and military, the letter said.
Increase in violence and attacks on Christians
Religious freedom advocates also told the secretary that after the inexplicable removal of Nigeria’s CPC designation last November, the level of violence increased, and attacks against Christians.
“Open Doors, found more Christians murdered in Nigeria in 2021, (4,650), than in all the countries in the world combined; however, according to the International Society for Civil and Law Liberties, considers the trend for 2022, is on track to exceed that figure, ”says the letter.
In their letter to Blinken, the religious freedom advocates noted: “The CCP designation, and the Special Envoy are vital, to recognize the seriousness of the violations of religious freedom that occur in the country, and the government’s unwillingness to control the problems, as well as their contributions to the problems.
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