February 2024 Persecution Magazine

ICC Newsroom
YOUR SOURCE FOR PERSECUTION NEWS
Nigeria Once Again
Left off CPC List
Christian Leaders Arrested in Mauritania
in Large-Scale Crackdown
A
prominent Christian leader, along
with 14 other Christian leaders
and their families, was arrested
in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in
December. These leaders represent a
significant portion of the nation’s small
Christian community, estimated to be
around 1,000 individuals.
Mauritania’s current penal code,
specifically Article 306, imposes the
death penalty for apostasy, with the
provision for a lesser penalty if the
accused repents. The arrests were
reportedly triggered by a posted video
of a baptism ceremony in Mauritania.
The video, believed to be leaked by an
insider seeking monetary gain, quickly
went viral.
The aftermath of the video’s
dissemination led to disturbing
incitements, with some calling for
violence against Christians. Reports
include statements like, “We have
to kill those who preach Christianity,
and these Christians have no place in
Mauritania.”
The widespread attention drawn by the
arrests and the viral video has sparked
awareness across Mauritania about
the presence of Christianity within
its borders. Consequently, a growing
number of voices are advocating
for tolerance and understanding,
emphasizing that Christians are integral
members of Mauritanian society,
contributing positively to their local
communities.
The U.S. Department of State released in
early January its annual list of countries
and entities that are hindering the
religious freedom rights of citizens. The
State Department’s annual list includes
countries (CPC) with the most severe
religious freedom violations, while less
egregious offenders are put on a Special
Watch List (SWL). Terrorist groups are also
included as Entities of Particular Concern
(EPC).”
Nigeria, shockingly, was once again left off
the list as a Country of Particular Concern.
Other notable highlights include:
Azerbaijan, for the first time in history,
has been added to the Special Watch List
(SWL), indicating progress in the nation’s
commitment to religious freedom.
India, despite the United States Commission
on International Religious Freedom’s
(USCIRF) consistent recommendations
since 2020, remains excluded from the
CPC list, raising questions and prompting
USCIRF to call for a congressional hearing
into the State Department’s decision.
Nigeria, despite a history of violence
and slaughter against Christians, was
also excluded from the CPC list this
year, sparking controversy and debate
around the decision, with some alleging
bureaucratic reasons. Tens of thousands
of Christians have been killed at the hands
of radical Islamic terrorist groups in nearly
20 years.
USCIRF has made a significant call for
a congressional hearing into the State
Department’s decisions regarding India
and Nigeria’s exclusion from the list,
signaling the commission’s commitment to
examining and ensuring religious freedom
concerns are properly addressed.
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024