Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in its recent report said it has recorded 19 cases of people whose freedom of rights to religion have been violated between January to August, 2024.
The Head of Program Implementation for the Middle Belt, Search for Common Ground, Mr Godwin Okoro, revealed this recently in Abuja during the bi-annual forum for critical state actors in the religious sector as well as government institutions that works in the religious sector.
He said that from their findings, they discovered that most of the cases were recorded in South East, North West, North East as well as the Middle Belt.
He said that they have also discovered that most of the victims of are not willing to speak out due to cultural, religious, stigmatisation as well as fear of further attacks.
He further noted that the project supported by the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria is targeted at Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nigeria, adding that the meeting was a platform to discuss religious rights violation issues of religion and beliefs in the country.
He stressed that the platform is aimed at strengthening the freedom of religion and beliefs as well as to enable stakeholders to come together in addressing potential triggers and enablers of religious rights, violation in the country .
He said “Although we may not have seen the deliverables in terms of having people whose rights has not been violated, but they have continue to urge people not to keep quiet when their rights are belong violated”.
While mentioning that SFCG has always tried to create safe space for victims by working with security agencies, human right organisation to ensure their safety.
He stated that victims of FoRB call always call the toll free number 08000002233 and they will immediately come to their rescue.
He said “We call on people facing religious violence to speak up as the SFG is there as there are mechanisms, stakeholders in place to ensure their safety ”
A participant, Muhammed Nuru Khalid also known as digital Imam stressed that the only way to scale up reporting of religious violation is to increase sensitisation especially at the grassroots level, such that people will be aware that persecution of anyone because of his religious beliefs is a punishable offence.
He said the judiciary must also ensure that individuals who have violated the law are brought to book, saying that is the only way to scale up reporting of religious violation
While mentioning that although Nigerian is fairing well in protection of right to freedom of religion given the the heightened campaigns by SFCG, he stressed the need for religious leaders to harp more on religious tolerance.
He said “the imams and the pastors should lead by example, show love to themselves and preach messages of love in our mosques and churches as there will be less religious crisis in the country”.
Blueprint Newspapers on WhatsAp-Join now!