Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Persecution of Christians: Nigeria

Thursday 21 January 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church of England is monitoring violence and kidnappings in Nigeria.
  • Archbishop of Canterbury and minister met with family of Leah Sharibu.
  • Clergy have spoken out against persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Context

The question arises from the Church of England's work to address persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria. The context includes a recent event highlighting severe mistreatment and denial of basic rights, including food and medical aid.

Question

What progress has the Church of England made on its work to help tackle the persecution of Christians in Nigeria? A recent Open Doors UK event highlighted that Christians are more likely to be tortured and murdered for their faith by Islamic militants in the north of Nigeria than in any other country. Persecution also includes denying Christians food, aid and treatment for covid-19.

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who knows Nigeria well, is monitoring the recent violence and the kidnapping of 300 schoolboys. He and I have met the family of Leah Sharibu, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2018, and who is still a prisoner, as she refuses to renounce Jesus. Clergy who have spoken out have been threatened by prominent civil society organisations, and the Church continues to stay closely involved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on the involvement of the Church of England in providing support or relief work for persecuted Christians or internally displaced people camps.

How: Changed Subject, Did Not Address The Specifics Of Support And Relief

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Q2 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Context

The question arises from a recent event highlighting severe mistreatment and denial of basic rights faced by Christians in northern Nigeria, including torture, murder, denial of food, aid, and medical treatment.

Question

What is the Church of England's involvement in supporting persecuted Christians, and what relief work is it doing with internally displaced people camps? A recent Open Doors UK event highlighted that Christians are more likely to be tortured and murdered for their faith by Islamic militants in the north of Nigeria than in any other country. Persecution also includes denying them food, aid and treatment for covid-19.

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who knows Nigeria well, is monitoring the recent violence and the kidnapping of 300 schoolboys. He and I have met the family of Leah Sharibu, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2018, and who is still a prisoner, as she refuses to renounce Jesus. Clergy who have spoken out have been threatened by prominent civil society organisations, and the Church continues to stay closely involved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on the involvement of the Church of England in providing support or relief work for persecuted Christians or internally displaced people camps.

How: Changed Subject, Did Not Address The Specifics Of Support And Relief

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)