In the Press...
Ocean County Leader article on Smith's legislation to address religious persecution in Nigeria'Smith introduces resolution urging stronger US response on religious persecution in Nigeria'By Ocean County Leader Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, has introduced new legislation commending President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and detailing steps for the U.S. State Department in response to religious persecution in Nigeria. The bill, H.Res.860, is cosponsored by Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). It updates earlier legislation, H.Res.220, which also addressed religious freedom violations in Nigeria. Smith has previously called for Nigeria to be designated as a CPC and urged action against Nigerian officials over human rights abuses affecting Christians and Muslims. He has worked on this issue for more than a decade, introducing related legislation and leading congressional hearings, most recently in March. “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,” said Smith. “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.” Rep. Huizenga commented on his support for H.Res.860: “The slaughter of innocent Christians in Nigeria demands a strong response from the United States. 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,” he added. Smith further stated: “President Trump’s ‘CPC’ designation of Nigeria is a critical first step towards achieving lasting peace, stability, and religious freedom in Nigeria.” He continued: “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.” The bill proposes that the State Department use tools established through previous laws such as the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act to provide humanitarian aid to faith-based groups; condition U.S. foreign assistance on progress toward religious freedom; work with Treasury on targeted sanctions; add certain militias operating in Benue and Plateau States to lists of concern; and reaffirm U.S. commitment to global human rights. “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,” concluded Smith. |