The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the Biden administration to designate Nigeria as one of the ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ (CPC) regarding violations of religious freedom.
Citing persistent concerns over religious liberties, USCIRF’s call for Nigeria’s CPC designation is rooted in a history of recommendations dating back to 2009.
Despite prior recommendations and ongoing reports of religious freedom violations, Nigeria has yet to be officially categorized as a CPC by the United States.
USCIRF’s bipartisan yearly report evaluates nations based on their involvement in “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of religious freedom independent of U.S. foreign policy considerations.
It said Nigeria’s inclusion as a CPC would underscore concerns about its track record in safeguarding religious liberties.
Nigeria has previously been on the Special Watch List (SWL) for religious freedom violations.
However, USCIRF believes the situation warrants a more stringent designation, emphasizing the need for focused attention and action to address the reported violations within the country.
The call from USCIRF places pressure on the Biden administration to reassess Nigeria’s status in terms of religious freedom and take concrete steps towards addressing the identified concerns, potentially leading to diplomatic implications and actions if the designation is officially endorsed.
