Bill > S2747

This bill requires the Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to systematic violations of religious freedom, and mandates sanctions against Nigerian officials and entities involved in enforcing blasphemy laws or tolerating religious violence. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of State to submit a report within 90 days and annually thereafter, identifying Nigerian federal officials, state governors, judges, and law enforcement authorities who have promoted or enforced blasphemy laws, or tolerated violence by religious extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa. The bill also designates Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC). The Secretary of State may waive these designations if certain conditions are met, such as the terrorist groups no longer operating in Nigeria and no enforcement of blasphemy laws. The bill defines key terms like "blasphemy laws" as provisions that criminalize expressions or beliefs perceived as insulting to religion, and allows for sanctions to be imposed on individuals identified in the report using existing executive order authorities related to human rights abuses.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2747/all-info