The US prioritizes Nigeria, Iran and China for religious persecution, and alert over Nicaragua and Cuba

Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world for Christians, according to the new president of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Vicky Hartzler, a Republican who represented Misuri in the House of Representatives for 12 years, assumed the Presidency of the Commission in June. In an interview with CNA – Ewtn News Administration – commented his new mission: “We want to make a difference. We want to save lives.”

Hartzler’s main priority is Nigeria. Citing Open Doors statistics, an international organization dedicated to helping persecuted Christians, said the 69% of Christians killed worldwide in 2023 died in Nigeriawith more than 50,000 dead since 2009. Violence includes massacres of faithful, such as the June attack to a Catholic Church where more than 200 people were killed.

Hartzler asks the US Department of State to designate Nigeria as “Country of special concern” (CPC) and to press his government to better protect citizens and process those responsible for crimes against religion.

Iran and China are still great focus of attention. In Iran, Hartzler said, More than 900 executions took place in 2024y 96 Christians received sentences that total more than 260 years in prison.

China, on the other hand, continues with its so -called “Sinization” campaign, especially against Uigures Muslims in the Xinjiang region, forcing mosques and churches to exhibit portraits of the XI Jinping leader and replace the traditional cult of propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party. Hartzler said that these examples not only represent repression, but systematic attempts Delete authentic religious practice.

Stephen Schneck, who presided over the USCIRF under the mandate of President Joe Biden and was director of the Catholic Policies and Studies Research Institute of the Catholic University of America, equates the work of the Commission with the Catholic Tradition of Defense of Religious Freedom, which dates back to the declaration of the Second Vatican Council II Human dignity.

He warned about “a historical rebound in religious persecution worldwide” and highlighted two genocides in Asia: against Uigures Muslims in China and against the Rohinyás in Myanmar. For Schneck, it is not only vital to document these atrocities, but also ensure that they remain in international focus.

Maureen Ferguson, former senior researcher at The Catholic Association and Radio driver in Ewtn, wants to attract attention to Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega’s regime has attacked the Catholic Church by arresting priests, expelling religious and even watching homilies.

“When they expel the nuns, what are they doing? They take care of the street girls, the poor elders who are dying. Who takes care of them now? The government certainly does not,” said Ferguson.

He also pointed out the continuous repression in Cuba against the churches and independent religious voices as another regional priority for the USCIRF.

He framed international religious freedom as part of a broader defense of human dignity: “The right to practice your faith is one of the most fundamental human rights,” Ferguson said, linking it with the rights of consciousness and the holiness of life.

Schneck added that the USCIRF bipartisan structure gives weight to its recommendations, but warned that designations as CPC or inclusion in the special surveillance list They are not enough without compliance measures.

“Too often these designations do not entail sanctions, or the sanctions are raised,” he said.

Hartzler and other commissioners also highlighted the List of victims of the USCirf, which includes imprisoned or tortured people for their beliefs. By making their names and stories public, the Commission seeks to press governments to free them and remember the world that religious persecution is not something abstract, but a reality lived by specific people.

All commissioners agree that Americans have a role to play. Hartzler urged not only to pray, but also act: call elected officials, press the White House and the State Department, and demand that religious freedom be a central element of US foreign policy. UU.

Ferguson requested the confirmation of the one nominated by former president Donald Trump for general ambassador of international religious freedom, former congressman Mark Walker, in order to strengthen the diplomatic efforts of the United States. UU.

The US State Department is expected to publish soon Annual International Religious Freedom Report.

The USCIRF It is an independent and bipartisan agency of the Legislative Power, created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Law (in its amended version). The Commission supervises the universal right to freedom of religion or beliefs abroad; He makes politics recommendations to the Secretary of State and Congress; and monitor the implementation of these recommendations.

Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.