Press Releases

Yesterday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Chris Smith (R-NJ), introduced H. Res. 860, a new measure commending President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and outlining a course of action for the U.S. Department of State to follow – including assistance for faith-based groups and sanctions for human rights abusers – in response to the killing and religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

“The slaughter of innocent Christians in Nigeria demands a strong response from the United States,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Congressman Chris Smith and I are leading the charge in Congress to stop these heinous killings. H Res. 860 commends the Trump Administration for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, while calling for the Administration to enact sanctions against individuals and entities in Nigeria who are supporting this horrific violence. Additionally, this measure calls for setting verifiable conditions on any US Aid going to Nigeria. Nigeria must do more to protect all innocent individuals, including Christians, within its borders.”

“To be a Christian living in Nigeria means to be living under the constant threat of murder, kidnapping, rape, and torture by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists,” stated Smith, who has led numerous human rights trips to Nigeria. “My new legislation commends President Trump’s decisive action to redesignate Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’—reversing an incredibly ill-advised decision by the Biden Administration—and lays out a detailed roadmap for the State Department’s future diplomatic dealings with the Nigerian government—urging sanctions and new conditions on U.S. foreign assistance.”

“President Trump’s ‘CPC’ designation of Nigeria is a critical first step towards achieving lasting peace, stability, and religious freedom in Nigeria,” continued Congressman Smith, an internationally recognized human rights lawmaker. “Congress has a job to do as well—to support President Trump’s initiative and oversee the State Department’s actions as it implements the goals of a ‘CPC’ designation, using all appropriate and available tools to advance religious freedom and protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria. It is well past time that the United States holds the Nigerian government responsible for its inability—or unwillingness—to fully confront and combat the unchecked, widespread religious persecution occurring within its borders.”

Specifically, H. Res. 860 lays out the following:

(1) President Donald J. Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists;

(2) The State Department should:

(a) provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based groups to support internally displaced people in Nigeria’s middle belt states; and

(b) condition U.S. foreign assistance, including through global health programs, to immediately address religious freedom violations and develop strategies for long-term peace and stability, including the Nigerian government taking immediate and effective steps to prevent religious persecution, prosecute perpetrators of violence, take action to care for the millions of internally displaced persons, and uphold constitutional protections for religious freedom;

(3) 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 (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and should place Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on the Entities of Particular Concern List under the International Religious Freedom Act; and

(4) The United States is committed to promoting religious freedom and human rights as foundational principles of U.S. foreign policy.