States Senator, Ted Cruz, has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing legislation that targets the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy 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.”
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.”
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!”
Sharia law is predominantly practiced in the northern region of Nigeria. There have been several reported killings in the country under the guise of enforcing blasphemy.
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