US religious freedom report criticised for minimising Christian persecution in Nigeria

May 4, 2023 by Jill

by Heather Preston, Premier:

A Christian advocacy group claims a US report on international religious freedom ignores the documented persecution of Christians in Nigeria at the hands of Fulani – painting the ethnic group as the victims.

In an updated April report the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted abuse against Fulani Muslims in West and Central Africa.

It says that as militant Islamist activity has increased in the country, Christian communities have equated Fulani Muslim civilians with more extremist groups, making them a seemingly “legitimate target for violence and human rights abuses.”

“In this way, attacks on Fulani Muslim civilians have also led to religious violence against Christians, impacting religious freedom rights for multiple faith communities. Christian communities across Nigeria are threatened by deadly attacks from vengeful assailants seeking retribution for grievances against Fulani Muslim civilians,” it reads.

Christian advocacy group ADF International have raised concern over these claims, saying that numerous attacks attributed to Fulani against Christians in the country are retaliatory.

ADF International spokesperson Sean Nelson told CNA the USCIRF report “fails to explain the broader context of religiously motivated violence against Christians, where they are suffering thousands of deaths every year because of their faith.”

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