U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions for Religious Freedom Violations
• Naijanews • Politics
The United States has begun enforcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, as disclosed by Mark Walker, the U.S. Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom. This policy allows the U.S. State Department to scrutinize individuals involved in religious persecution, barring them from entering the United States. Walker emphasized the U.S. government's commitment to preventing those accused of religious persecution from entering the country. The visa restriction policy was announced in December and is part of a broader response to violence against Christians in Nigeria. The announcement followed a resolution introduced by Chris Smith, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, recommending visa bans and asset freezes for individuals and organizations accused of severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria. Specific entities named include the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. Earlier in February, U.S. lawmakers proposed sanctions against Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, for complicity in religious freedom violations.
Topics: Politics, Human Rights