Written by Don Byrd
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement of concern yesterday over growing religious violence in Nigeria. Especially troubling the statement notes, is the lack of response from the government.
“The Nigerian government’s failure to prosecute perpetrators of religiously-related violence only encourages reprisals and intensifies local tensions and mistrust. Boko Haram uses this impunity as a recruitment tool and to justify its attacks on Christians,” said [USCIRF Chair Dr. Katrina] Lantos Swett.
The most recent round of fighting started on March 20-21 when armed men, alleged to be from the Fulani tribe, opened fire on the Christian village of Ratas while villagers slept, killing 19. This violence since has led to Christian and Muslim reprisal attacks throughout Plateau State and even Kaduna State, including an Easter weekend assault that left an estimated 80 dead.
In other USCIRF news, President Obama announced he will appoint Eric Schwartz to join the commission. Schwartz is Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.
