The US said in the latest International Religious Freedom Report for 2011, released on Monday that there were reports of abuses of religious freedom by some state officials and politicians.
It identified the main targets of such violence to include political and ethnic rivals, businesses, homes, churches, mosques and rural villages.
The Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, submitted a report to the US Congress on the matter.
The report is used by many US government agencies and offices to shape policy; conduct diplomacy; and inform assistance, training, and other resource allocations.
The latest report, which also indicted the Federal Government of Nigeria for not acting swiftly or effectively to quell the killings nor investigate and prosecute those responsible for such violence, said: “Federal, state and local authorities have not effectively addressed underlying political, ethnic and religious grievances that lead to violence.”
It noted that in 2011, government responded to conflict and groups it considered violent extremists in ways that restricted religious freedom and contributed to societal intolerance, adding that “Authorities often failed to distinguish between peaceful religious practice and criminal or terrorist activities.”
Olufamous.com gathered that the United States stated categorically that a climate of impunity exists in Nigeria because of the reluctance of the government to punish perpetrators of violence.
The report said US officials discussed religious freedom with the Nigerian government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights and also encourage government to address sectarian violence in a sensitive manner.
“The main message involved encouraging authorities to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice while respecting human rights and to modify its record of impunity to deter future acts of violence.”
It would also be recalled that after the President of the Christiann Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, appealed at the U.S. Congress to label Boko Haram terrorists, some Northern based politicians descended on him with insults.
The Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, submitted a report to the US Congress on the matter.
The report is used by many US government agencies and offices to shape policy; conduct diplomacy; and inform assistance, training, and other resource allocations.
The latest report, which also indicted the Federal Government of Nigeria for not acting swiftly or effectively to quell the killings nor investigate and prosecute those responsible for such violence, said: “Federal, state and local authorities have not effectively addressed underlying political, ethnic and religious grievances that lead to violence.”
It noted that in 2011, government responded to conflict and groups it considered violent extremists in ways that restricted religious freedom and contributed to societal intolerance, adding that “Authorities often failed to distinguish between peaceful religious practice and criminal or terrorist activities.”
Olufamous.com gathered that the United States stated categorically that a climate of impunity exists in Nigeria because of the reluctance of the government to punish perpetrators of violence.
The report said US officials discussed religious freedom with the Nigerian government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights and also encourage government to address sectarian violence in a sensitive manner.
“The main message involved encouraging authorities to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice while respecting human rights and to modify its record of impunity to deter future acts of violence.”
It would also be recalled that after the President of the Christiann Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, appealed at the U.S. Congress to label Boko Haram terrorists, some Northern based politicians descended on him with insults.