United States Senator Ted Cruz has announced new legislative efforts aimed at countering the enforcement of blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The US senator stated this in a release published on his website after US President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over claims of genocide against Christians.
Senator Cruz said, “I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination.”
He noted that the move aligns with his long-standing efforts to protect Christians facing persecution in Nigeria.
“I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
Cruz emphasised the broader aim of the designation, stating, “Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria.”
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According to him, the bill would strengthen measures against Nigerian officials accused of enabling an environment where Christians face targeted violence and discrimination.
READ ALSO:FG rejects Trump’s ‘Country Of Particular Concern’ Tag On Nigeria
Highlighting key aspects of his proposed legislation, he explained, “My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures.”
He concluded, “Today’s decision by President Trump is a great one, and I thank him for his strong leadership.”
Background
On Friday, President Trump said that in response to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, he had redesignated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
He announced the decision on his Truth Social media platform.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he posted.
Trump further noted that he has directed Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and members of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report their findings to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
Ted Cruz was the person who triggered the claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria in September, during a podcast with television host Bill Maher, where he alleged that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed” — a situation he described as genocide.
Maher and political commentator Van Jones echoed the claims, accusing the Nigerian government of complicity.
However, the Federal Government has described allegations of a ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria as false and malicious propaganda aimed at damaging the country’s global reputation.
