ICC Note: The European Union (EU) has been debating persecution issues in Nigeria with some encouraging discussions. The European People’s Party Working Group on Inter-Religious Dialog discussed the Boko Haram and Fulani herders threats afflicting Nigeria in conferences held May 3. Witnesses testified to the linkages between the two groups as well as highlighted the religious elements of the violence. These conversations represent positive directions of the dialog about Nigeria in that important policymakers are beginning to acknowledge the essential faith-based pieces of the ongoing violence. Boko Haram and the Fulani herders have devastated northern and central Nigeria with unmatched violence, raiding villages, burning down homes, slaughtering civilians, all while primarily targeting Christians.

5/10/16 Nigeria (World Watch Monitor) – A conference on religious radicalisation, Boko Haram and terrorism in Nigeria was held by the largest group in the European Parliament last week.

The European People’s Party Working Group on Inter-religious Dialogue’s conference on 3 May had two sessions: the first on the broader situation of Nigeria and the other on the threats and needs for peace and security in the region.

German MEP Joachim Zeller, who hosted the conference, said that even though the “Nigerian election and peaceful transition of power was a major achievement”, there is still a major threat in the north, where Christians and other minorities are being persecuted.

Each session had a panel with interventions of advocacy and civil society groups and experts on Boko Haram and Nigeria, including Esther Kattenberg, Advocacy Officer for Open Doors International (ODI), which partners with churches in Nigeria. She explained that the reports that appear in the media are “only the tip of the iceberg”, as “many violations go unreported”.

“It’s important to remark that not only Christians are suffering,” said Jane Ura, co-ordinator of the Africa Diaspora for Freedom of Religion, introducing the first panel. “There are also challenges for people with indigenous beliefs, and Muslims.”

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