USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Nigeria

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Nigeria:

Nigeria Country Update – This country update examines religious freedom conditions in Nigeria, which remained poor in 2020. Ongoing state violations include harsh convictions for blasphemy, and discrimination against religious minorities. Non-state actors have been responsible for abductions and executions of individuals based on their religious affiliation, as well as attacks on houses of worship and religious ceremonies. The report provides background demographic and political context, explores Nigeria’s legal framework as it pertains to religious freedom, highlights the impact of religiosity across the country, examines recent incidents of violations of religious freedom committed by state and nonstate actors, and concludes with recommendations for U.S. policy.

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S State Department designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its ongoing, systematic, and egregious religious freedom violations. Earlier this month, the State Department designated Nigeria as a CPC for the first time ever.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

Several religious groups, including followers of Judaism and Islam, mandate that animals are uninjured (unstunned) prior to killing. However, nearly a third of European countries limit this practice through ritual slaughter laws.

Ritual slaughter is required for meat to be classified as kosher or halal. Therefore, laws preventing ritual slaughter cause individuals to abandon deeply held religious practices and imply a message of exclusion to all those who seek to follow their religion’s dietary laws.

During the Hanukkah season, USCIRF highlights the impact that ritual slaughter laws have on religious communities in select countries, such as those where it is necessary to import kosher meat.

Featuring:
Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF
Zachary Udin, Researcher, USCIRF

USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Brunei

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a new report on ongoing religious freedom issues in Brunei:

Brunei Factsheet – This factsheet highlights ongoing religious freedom issues in Brunei, primarily focusing on the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013, which came into effect on April 3, 2019. Although Brunei has had a dual legal system, one religious and one secular, the new penal code blurs the lines between the two. It enforces a hardline interpretation of Islamic law on all Muslims regardless of citizenship. In particular, the penal code increases criminal penalties for blasphemy and makes attending Friday prayers a legal obligation for Muslims. If this penal code is fully enforced in Brunei, it could lead to USCIRF recommending the country’s inclusion on the State Department’s Special Watch List or that the country be designated as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF mentioned the implementation of Brunei’s new penal code in its Other Key Developments section.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].