VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS
Nigeria, one of Africa's largest/ most populated countries, is a country of great diversity, as not only is it rich in culture, but it also consists of 250 ethnic groups and persons with diverse religions.
This diversity is one of Nigeria's beautiful features, which is admired by many nations, close and far. However, as lovely and rich as the country might seem in its entirety, it is faced with problems that lie deep within its diversity; it has become a battleground for religious uproar and persecution.
This article shall highlight the persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria, in some of its regions, and how it violates the Fundamental Human Rights of Nigeria and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In Nigeria, persecution of Christians varies according to state, as in every state, in one little town or community, at least one out of five faces persecution for their Christian faith. Recent statistics, however, show that the top five (5) states with the highest level of persecution against Christians include:
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano.
BORNO STATE
Borno state, located in the Northern part of Nigeria, has been a state which has had the majority of the country's sight on it as it has been the focus arena of the Boko Haram insurgency that properly came to the nation's limelight in the month and year July 2009. Ever since its emergence, the state has been given the tag "terror zone" as violence targeting Christian communities was a part of their sect strike.
Ever since the emergence of attacks on the Christian communities, Christian communities are said to have recorded over 16,000 deaths and over 2000 kidnappings with forced conversions. There are constant violations of human rights as the people are not only abducted but their places of worship are also burned down. This violates Article 3, which speaks about the right to Life, Liberty, and Security of persons. The act of violence, the torture experienced, the degrading treatment, and the forced conversion all violate Article 5 of the UDHR.
All these acts also undermine the provision of Article 18, which speaks on freedom of thought, conscience, and Religion, as Christians are unable to practice their Religion without fear or terror freely.
The same can also be found in Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
With reference to the Vatican news, over the past 14 years, since 2009, which was the year the issue of insurgency became very prominent, at least 52,250 Nigerian Christians were murdered at the hands of Islamist militants; in the same period, 18,000 Christian churches and 2,200 Christian schools were set ablaze. In the year 2023, at least 707 Christians were kidnapped, Niger State recorded more than 200 abductions, including the abduction of over 100 Christians in Adunu (Paikoro) on the 14th of March 2023.
States like Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Kano also face the same, as Christians are said to have suffered and still suffer forced displacements and severe restrictions on religious practices, targeted killings through guns or bombs, property destruction, religious discrimination, and social exclusion. All these acts are still in violation of Articles 3, 5 & 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In the process of these persecutions, other rights are still violated, such as:
Right to Participate in the Cultural Life of the Community under Article 27
The destruction of religious sites and the suppression of religious practices hinder Christians' ability to participate fully in the cultural and spiritual life of their communities, as they cannot freely gather to discuss and also share in the communal life that others share, restricting them from their right to association as stated under section 40 of the Nigerian constitution which gives the right and freedom of association.
These violations have created a humanitarian crisis because, as opposed to the basic rule of humanity, which is to care about your neighbor, It is bringing about violence and destruction.
These acts have grave impacts on the victims and even the society at large. It causes fear as the people no longer feel safe going to their place of worship; they feel scared to gather and fellowship; this act has also caused mass displacement as those whose towns and homes were affected or burnt, those whose town or city was seized by the attackers, will have no place to go. According to the Inter-society report, about 5 million Christians have been displaced and forced into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps within Nigeria and refugee camps at regional and sub-regional borders.
All these reflect a serious breach of the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and also the Nigerian Constitution, underscoring the need for urgent measures to protect religious freedoms and uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals, regardless of their faith.
Addressing the crisis requires a joint effort from the local, national, and international actors to uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals and protect religious minorities from persecution. The Nigerian government must strengthen security measures and address the root causes of conflict. Improved coordination with humanitarian organizations and a more effective response to violence are essential.
The government should review the Sharia laws, ensuring that it does not violate fundamental human rights, nor does it harm Christians in Islamic states.
Interfaith dialogues should be encouraged both locally and regionally as this will bring about an increase in unity and a chance to protect one another.
There should be Increased communal awareness, as this will help enlighten and educate the people and eradicate religious extremism.
Traditional ruler's intervention should be encouraged, as they are able to reach the community, and a commitment to human rights is essential in safeguarding the freedoms and security of Christians in Nigeria.
By: Olanike Ibitoye
For: Injustice is Real org
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