Crushed
but not defeated: Fiona Bruce MP raises awareness for Christians in Nigeria
Fiona Bruce MP
hosted a meeting last week to launch a report written by the charity Open
Doors, highlighting the violent persecution regularly faced by Christians in
northern Nigeria. Over 50 Members of Parliament attended, including Desmond
Swayne, the Minister of State for International Development.
Fiona Bruce MP
opened the meeting by speaking about her own experiences of visiting Nigeria in
February in her role on the International Development Select Committee.
The group then
heard from two Nigerian pastors whose communities have suffered extreme attacks
by Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen. Many churches have been destroyed and burnt
and many Christians killed with knives or guns, or burnt alive. “Our
constitution guarantees liberty, but we don’t have liberty” one pastor said.
Fiona Bruce MP said: “It
was a privilege to visit Nigeria in February as a member of the International
Development Select Committee, and to meet with communities who have suffered
from horrendous persecution, including the Chibok community where 276
schoolgirls were kidnapped just over two years ago. This report is a tragic but
necessary reminder that many Christians around the world are being violently
persecuted for their faith.”
Fiona Bruce MP continued: “The
freedom to practise your own religion or belief (including unbelief) is a key
human right. While the Nigerian constitution officially recognises this right,
it is not being upheld in many parts of Nigeria. I urge the Nigerian government
to ensure that all citizens are protected, regardless of their ethnicity or
religion.”
The full report
can be found here: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/worldwatch/nigeria/documents/nigeria-report-12.pdf
