A U.S. lawmaker has proposed sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against individuals and groups accused of masterminding the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
This was contained in a new bill introduced by a member of the House of Representatives, Smith Christopher, on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ and threatened to invade the country.
While welcoming Mr Trump’s decision, Mr Christopher expressed satisfaction with how the U.S. held the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.
“The United States, through the Department of State and Department of Treasury, should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky framework and other restrictive measures, on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, including sanctions against Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore,” the bill said.
The lawmaker also asked Mr Trump “to place Fulani-ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau on the Entities of Particular Concern List under the International Religious Freedom Act”, citing uncontrolled killing in the country.
While urging the U.S. to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based groups to support internally displaced people in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Mr Christopher wanted Mr Trump to condition foreign assistance on the Nigerian government’s commitment to prevent religious persecution, prosecute perpetrators of violence, and uphold constitutional protections for religious freedom in the country.
“The United States is committed to promoting religious freedom and human rights as foundational principles of U.S. foreign policy,” said the legislation.
