Bill > HRes82

This Resolution expresses the sense of Congress that Nigeria should be designated a "country of particular concern" (CPC) due to its alleged engagement in and tolerance of severe and ongoing violations of religious freedom, a designation previously made by the Department of State in 2020 but omitted in subsequent years, which the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) found inexplicable and a result of overlooking particularly severe violations. The resolution highlights reports of attacks on religious communities, particularly Christians, by nonstate armed groups and the Nigerian government's alleged failure to adequately respond, as well as the impact of Islamic blasphemy laws, which carry the death penalty in some northern states, leading to convictions and even mob violence. Furthermore, it calls for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, with ambassadorial rank, to improve reporting and coordinate U.S. government efforts to monitor and combat atrocities in the area.