VP/HR — Growing persecution of Christians in Nigeria

22.4.2013

Question for written answer E-004503-13
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 117
Konrad Szymański (ECR)

In the last few months, growing persecution of Christians has claimed several hundred lives in Nigeria.

In the period from January to March alone, a whole series of incidents were reported in the media. More than 250 people have been killed and many others injured in brutal attacks in Musari, Nijiri, Saminaka, Mangor and Matog, in the Bokkos and Plateau regions and in an attack on a village in a Christian part of Kaduna State. In March, a car‐bomb exploded at a bus station in the Christian neighbourhood of Sabon Gari in Kano State, killing over 60 people. In Mubi, Christians do not leave their houses after 20:00; they are scared to attend mass or go to the market. 50 of the 52 Catholic churches in the diocese of Maiduguri, Borno State, were destroyed in March. The Open Doors organisation estimates that some 100 000 Christians have been forced to save themselves by escaping to southern Nigeria.

Is the High Representative aware of this situation? If so, what immediate steps have been taken to protect the rights of Christians in Nigeria?

What action will the High Representative take to help ensure the safety of Christians in Nigeria?

Is it anticipated that the EU Member States will adopt a unified position on this growing humanitarian tragedy?

OJ C 33 E, 05/02/2014