Fox’s first – The Biden administration faces pressure from numerous human rights and religious groups over its failures. specify nigeria It was named a Country of Special Concern (“CPC”) for the brutal murder of more than 200 Christians last month.
In a letter to the Secretary Prime Minister Antony BlinkenTwenty interest groups, including America Advancing Freedom, Alliance Defending Freedom, the Hudson Institute, former Ambassador Sam Brownback, and former defense and national security officials, “reject” Nigeria’s designation as a CPC. He reprimanded the State Department for doing so and criticized the lack of it. “unconscionable” behavior.
“In less than two weeks, nearly 200 Nigerian Christians were martyred while celebrating Christmas. One report said these Christians were 'killed for sport.' Just a few. “A week ago, the Christian Association of Nigeria received a letter threatening not to celebrate Christmas,” the letter sent on Monday said.
“The international religious freedom community is outraged by the refusal to hold people accountable for these wrongdoings.”
Christians in Nigeria 'murdered by jihadists for sport' cause people to see the world differently
People are evacuated after an attack by armed groups in Bokkos, north-central Nigeria, on Tuesday. (AP)
The letter comes from the International Civil Liberties and Rule of Law Association (InterSociety), a non-profit organization based in Nigeria. It pointed out that he had revealed that he had been forced to flee Nigeria.
According to the letter, InterSociety also found that 18,000 churches and 2,200 schools were attacked during the same period.
At least 140 people killed and homes burned in Christmas Eve attack in Nigeria
Secretary of State Antony Blinken (AP Photo/Hoshiko Eugene, Pool)
On January 4, Mr. Blinken announced that he had designated a series of countries as CPCs, including Iran and Russia, but Nigeria received particular attention. removed from list.
The letter said that “within hours” of Blinken's announcement, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) called for a Congressional hearing, and international religious freedom advocates criticized Blinken's decision. publicly criticized.
Proposed resolution to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for Christian persecution
Families gather to bury their loved ones killed by militants in Mayanga village, Central Plateau State, Nigeria, December 27, 2023. (Kim Masala/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
USCIRF is a federal government commission. International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 It consists of a committee appointed by the president and a bipartisan group of congressional leaders.
Nigeria, the center of Boko Haram, was added to the list during the Trump administration, but has been removed from the list since 2021.
Nigeria has the largest Christian population of any African country, with more than 80 million believers, according to the Pew Research Center.
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“The eyes of the world look to America as a beacon of hope and freedom. Religious freedom is rooted in America's founding, enshrined in our Bill of Rights, and at the heart of what it means to be an American,” the letter said. It is written. .
“When America remains silent while evil runs amok, the world pays attention,” he concludes.
