Biden Administration betrays Nigerian Christians again

[Vambram]

Biden admin. betrays Nigerians once again

The Biden Administration has betrayed the Nigerian people once again

www.christianpost.com

The Biden Administration has betrayed the Nigerian people once again. In what has become a regrettable annual tradition, Biden’s State Department recently rejected calls from numerous leading human rights, religious freedom, and Christian organizations to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

The CPC list is one of the United States government’s main tools promoting global religious freedom. Any nation that engages in or allows “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom can be added to the list. The designation gives the U.S. Government the ability to leverage sanctions against offending nations.

The State Department regularly includes countries on the CPC list that are known enemies of the United States such as North Korea, Cuba, China, and Iran. There’s no risk in calling them out. But the Biden administration continuously refuses to add Nigeria and several other countries for geopolitical and economic reasons. Not only does this politicize the CPC list, if not render it meaningless, but it exposes the Administration’s inability to truly support religious freedom around the globe.

Recommendations for which countries and bad actors should be added to the CPC list come from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a congressionally mandated bi-partisan body on which I serve, specifically created to monitor the right to freedom of religion abroad and make policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and Congress. When the State Department repeatedly rejects and ignores USCIRF’s recommendations and concerns, it is failing to recognize the USCIRF’s important role.

 

[RileyG]

He doesn't care.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

The US Empire and its respective political establishments do not care about Christianity or Christendom broadly. One ought to ask why Christians and Christendom broadly care so much about the US Empire.

 

[JSRG]

So the complaint about the article is that Nigeria isn't being treated as a "Country of Particular Concern". As the term is defined in a link the article does offer:

Countries of Particular Concern, Special Watch List Countries, Entities of Particular Concern - United States Department of State

Background Under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, the President is required to annually review the status of religious freedom in every country in the world and designate each country the government of which has engaged in or tolerated “particularly severe violations of...

www.state.gov

"Under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, the President is required to annually review the status of religious freedom in every country in the world and designate each country the government of which has engaged in or tolerated “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). The law defines particularly severe violations as “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom,” including violations such as: (1) torture; (2) prolonged detention without charges; (3) forced disappearance; or (4) other flagrant denial of life, liberty, or security of persons."

So, what is the article's argument that Nigeria falls under that definition? It tells me:

"If Nigeria doesn’t belong on the CPC, then I’m not sure who does. In 2022 alone, more than 5,000 Nigerian Christians were massacred in multiple waves of attacks, and another 1,041 were slaughtered in the first 100 days of 2023. This past Christmas, attacks on 26 Nigerian villages left nearly 200 dead with many more missing. Unbelievably, the State Department’s decision to leave Nigeria off the CPC list was made just days after these horrific attacks took place.

I recently traveled to Nigeria and met with Christians who have lost everything at the hands of Boko Haram, Fulani extremists, and other terrorists. Their family members have been killed, their homes and villages destroyed, their farms burned, and livestock stolen. The trauma and pain these survivors face are incredibly deep and painful. And yet, month after month, year after year, we allow these violent acts to continue."

But notice what the definition was, that the government of the country has done these things. But these weren't actions of the government, but terrorist groups. Now, the definition of a Country of Particular Concern does also allow for when the government tolerates "particularly severe violations of religious freedom". But the government of Nigeria hasn't been tolerating terrorist attacks, it's been trying to stop them. Someone could argue that they haven't done a great job, but there have been efforts.

So I'm rather confused as to why it thinks Nigeria counts as a "Country of Particular Concern". Maybe there are things to point to from the government, but if there is the article doesn't give evidence of them. Based on the arguments the article makes, it doesn't make much sense to say Nigeria should be a Country of Particular Concern.

 

[Vambram]

Where's the evidence that the Nigerian government has actually made honest, sincere attempts to stop the terrorism against Nigerian Christians?

 

[JSRG]

Where's the evidence that the Nigerian government has actually made honest, sincere attempts to stop the terrorism against Nigerian Christians?

The fact the government's been in armed conflict with groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP would seem to be one.

 

[RileyG]

The US Empire and its respective political establishments do not care about Christianity or Christendom broadly. One ought to ask why Christians and Christendom broadly care so much about the US Empire.

Well said

 

[Vambram]

The fact the government's been in armed conflict with groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP would seem to be one.

You are right. It would seem to be one. However, Boko Haram and ISWAP still appear to be a very lethal and dangerous problem in Nigeria. Perhaps the Nigerian government and military needs to do a lot more in order to start actually being effective against terrorism.

 

[water of life]

Islamist violence only increased under the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari. Corruption is widespread in Nigeria's federal government and their police and security forces are under equipped and under funded. Their government does not protect Christians and rarely punishes those who carry out the violence.

Abducting religious leaders and targeting Christian schools and churches for the express purpose of kidnapping and murdering is a thriving business over there. It's not just "the terrorists". Criminal armed groups and mob violence is ongoing too.

Yes, Nigeria does tolerate infringement of religious freedom, and has for decades. They absolutely should be on this list.

 

[Yarddog]

Biden admin. betrays Nigerians once again

The Biden Administration has betrayed the Nigerian people once again

www.christianpost.com

The Biden Administration has betrayed the Nigerian people once again. In what has become a regrettable annual tradition, Biden’s State Department recently rejected calls from numerous leading human rights, religious freedom, and Christian organizations to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

The CPC list is one of the United States government’s main tools promoting global religious freedom. Any nation that engages in or allows “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom can be added to the list. The designation gives the U.S. Government the ability to leverage sanctions against offending nations.

The State Department regularly includes countries on the CPC list that are known enemies of the United States such as North Korea, Cuba, China, and Iran. There’s no risk in calling them out. But the Biden administration continuously refuses to add Nigeria and several other countries for geopolitical and economic reasons. Not only does this politicize the CPC list, if not render it meaningless, but it exposes the Administration’s inability to truly support religious freedom around the globe.

Recommendations for which countries and bad actors should be added to the CPC list come from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a congressionally mandated bi-partisan body on which I serve, specifically created to monitor the right to freedom of religion abroad and make policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and Congress. When the State Department repeatedly rejects and ignores USCIRF’s recommendations and concerns, it is failing to recognize the USCIRF’s important role.

It seems that you argument isn't with the Biden administration but with the U.S. State Dept. since Nigeria hasn't been on the list but once, with a waiver, over the past decade.

 

[MForbes]

It seems that you argument isn't with the Biden administration but with the U.S. State Dept. since Nigeria hasn't been on the list but once, with a waiver, over the past decade.

When a Democrat is president:
Republicans - "It's the presidential administration's fault"

When a Republican is president:
Democrats - "It's the presidential administration's fault"

When a person who knows better points out the truth:
Republicans and Democrats - "You're just against us"

 

[mindlight]

The US Empire and its respective political establishments do not care about Christianity or Christendom broadly. One ought to ask why Christians and Christendom broadly care so much about the US Empire.

The choice is the USA or China, which one is more Christian and more likely to stand up for Christians!?

The last Christian president of Nigeria was corrupt and part of a culture of corruption. Nigerian Christians while exuberant in prayer have still got much to work through in practice. That said the persecution of Christians in the North and the bias of the Muslim-backed regime are big concerns. The extent to which Biden can change things is another issue.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

The choice is the USA or China, which one is more Christian and more likely to stand up for Christians!?

The last Christian president of Nigeria was corrupt and part of a culture of corruption. Nigerian Christians while exuberant in prayer have still got much to work through in practice. That said the persecution of Christians in the North and the bias of the Muslim-backed regime are big concerns. The extent to which Biden can change things is another issue.

The choice isn't binary and if both options are terrible and a net negative you refuse to support either till they are willing to deal with you.

Until the USA works for the interests of Christiand broadly, why should Christians support a state that undermines them? It's no better than serving China directly.

 

[rambot]

Well said

IS it?
The current version of Christianity that is gaining traction in political circles isn't all that popular and even many Christians are finding it quite distressing.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

IS it?
The current version of Christianity that is gaining traction in political circles isn't all that popular and even many Christians are finding it quite distressing.

What is version of Christianity is gaining political traction? How does a movement being unpopular affect the goals of any group which seeks political power? Don't all political organizations and movements begin somewhere? What kind of Christian finds this distressing? The type that subordinate their Christianity to the the current secular moral ideology?

 

[RileyG]

IS it?
The current version of Christianity that is gaining traction in political circles isn't all that popular and even many Christians are finding it quite distressing.

I agree with ignatius of kiwi. The current administration doesn’t care about Christian’s or Christianity

 

[rambot]

I agree with ignatius of kiwi. The current administration doesn’t care about Christian’s or Christianity

I would agree that it doesn't care about Christianity any more than any other religion.

Perhaps you believe christianity deserves special treatment from your government but not in a pluralistic society with a First Ammendment.

 

[Hazelelponi]

So I'm rather confused as to why it thinks Nigeria counts as a "Country of Particular Concern". Maybe there are things to point to from the government, but if there is the article doesn't give evidence of them. Based on the arguments the article makes, it doesn't make much sense to say Nigeria should be a Country of Particular Concern

Mainly because these "terrorist groups" are claiming to be (not belong to) the Islamic State, and are taking over whole swaths of areas (towns, roads, borders) and killing anyone they desire under their version of whatever they think Sharia law is, which means killing anyone who doesn't declare to be Muslim or convert on the spot to Islam.

Since various groups are both claiming and holding governmental power over the people we need to consider something for Nigeria.

At this point they are a failed state.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I would agree that it doesn't care about Christianity any more than any other religion.

Perhaps you believe christianity deserves special treatment from your government but not in a pluralistic society with a First Ammendment.

And if it is to the detriment of Christianity to support such pluralism and the state shows partiality towards other groups or interests groups (like Israel for instance) why should Christians support said regime? It clearly isn't neutral.

Why shouldn't a majority Christian nation support other Christians over seas when it can? Do you not care about your brothers and sisters in places like Nigeria or Armenia?

 

[rambot]

And if it is to the detriment of Christianity to support such pluralism

Because of pluralism, Christianity is able to peacefully practice.

and the state shows partiality towards other groups or interests groups (like Israel for instance) why should Christians support said regime? It clearly isn't neutral.

Are you talking about religions or interest groups? Before you were pretty specific about religions.

Why shouldn't a majority Christian nation support other Christians over seas when it can? Do you not care about your brothers and sisters in places like Nigeria or Armenia?

I don't think I said anywhere that they shouldn't.