European Paliarment Condemns Killings of Christians In Nigeria

Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), The European Parliament will vote in Thursday’s plenary session on a resolution condemning the massacre of Christians at Christmas last year in the Nigerian State of Plateau. Over 200 Christians died in the brutal attack. The resolution was prepared by MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (KDU-ČSL) on behalf of the European People’s Party (EPP), which has been for a long time involved in the issue of persecution of Christians around the world.

“When I read reports in foreign media about this brutal attack at Christmas, I immediately started working on a resolution that would gain the support of a majority of the plenary in the European Parliament and that would contribute to international pressure on the Nigerian government to address the situation,” said Zdechovský, the author of the resolution.

The resolution condemns the recent increase in violence against ethnic and religious communities and urges the Nigerian government to strengthen the security of its citizens and communities. It also denounces militant Islamist groups that exploit the conflict to spread religious hatred.

“The considerable Christian community in Nigeria has been under great pressure in recent years because of militant Muslims who exploit small conflicts between the two camps and brutally attack Christians. This must change,” Zdechovsky said, adding that the world cannot turn a blind eye to injustice.

The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated recently due to the escalation of religious and ethnic violence. Conflict between farmers and nomadic pastoralists over land and water resources has resulted in a rampage against Christians.

Attackers have killed villagers and set fire to their churches, grain stores, and other buildings. A radicalized Muslim Fulani tribe is responsible for the violence.

Muslim villagers and their property were left untouched, according to Aid to the Church in Need, an organization that helps persecuted Christians.

According to Nigerian NGOs, 52,000 Christians and 34,000 Muslims have been killed and 18,000 churches and 2,200 Christian schools burned since 2009.