Us Congress House Bill HR82

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Refer: 1/31/23
• Report Pass: 2/6/24

Caption

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, the need to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, and for other purposes.

Impact

The resolution seeks to influence U.S. foreign policy regarding Nigeria by expressing Congressional discontent over the Nigerian government's failure to protect religious freedom. By designating Nigeria as a CPC, it aims to compel the U.S. State Department to take these issues seriously and to reconsider its previous decisions to delist Nigeria from such a designation despite alarming reports of ongoing violence and discriminatory practices. This could have implications for future U.S. aid and diplomatic relations with Nigeria, compelling the government to address the systemic issues surrounding religious freedom and protection of minority rights.

Summary

House Resolution 82 (HR82) addresses the ongoing religious freedom violations in Nigeria, advocating for its designation as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC). The resolution highlights severe incidents of violence and discrimination faced by various religious groups, notably Christians, who have been targeted by nonstate armed groups, resulting in thousands of deaths. The resolution calls for the establishment of a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region to enhance monitoring and coordination of U.S. Government efforts to combat religious persecution and human rights abuses in the region.

Contention

One point of contention highlighted in the discussions surrounding HR82 is the ongoing perception that the Nigerian government is either unable or unwilling to protect its citizens from violence driven by religious extremism. Critics of the current administration argue that there is a profound imbalance in how the government responds to violence against different religious communities, with Muslims often receiving preferential treatment. Additionally, the resolution illustrates concern over blasphemy laws in place in Nigeria, which among other issues, have led to instances of death sentences being levied against individuals for purported offenses against Islam, reflecting a broader struggle for human rights and equality across Nigeria's diverse religious landscape.