,i #aai? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gdeg ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,febru>y #aj1 #bjbf,mr4 ,smi? ( ,new ,j]sey 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,moore ( ,we/ ,virg9ia1 ,mr4 ,ma/1 ,mr4 ,diaz-,bal>t1 ,mr4 ,huiz5ga1 & ,mr4 ,cole7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,=eign ,affairs1 & 9 addition to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y1 = a p]iod to be subsequ5tly det]m9$ by ! ,speak]1 9 ea* case = consid]ation ( su* provisions z fall )9 ! jurisdiction ( ! committee conc]n$ ,a ,,bill ,to require a compreh5sive report on ,unit$ ,/ates ef=ts to address religi\s p]secution & mass atrocities 9 ,nig]ia4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,nig]ia ,religi\s ,fre$om & ,acc\ntability ,act ( #bjbf4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,sy/emic religi\s p]secution has p]si/$ 9 ,nig]ia s9ce at lea/ #bjji1 includ+ mass murd]1 kidnapp+s1 rape1 village de/ruction1 & =c$ displacem5t ( p]sons1 p]petrat$ by ,boko ,h>am1 ! ,islamic ,/ate ,we/ ,africa ,prov9ce 7,,iswap71 ,fulani militant gr\ps1 & o!r extremi/ organizations4 7#b7 ,e/imates indicate t betwe5 #ej1jjj to #abe1jjj ,*ri/ians h be5 m>tyr$ betwe5 #bjji & #bjbe1 ) m ?an #ai1jjj ,*ri/ian *ur*es attack$ or de/roy$4 7#c7 ,fulani-e?nic militias 9 ,nig]ia--includ+ networks ( arm$ gr\ps engag$ 9 organiz$ attacks on civilian communities--h c>ri$ out repeat$ acts ( viol5ce t meet ! /atutory def9ition ( t]rori/ activity "u section #bab7;a77#c7 ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahb7;a77#c774 7#d7 ,^! militias h conduct$ attacks involv+ t>get$ kill+s1 ho/age-tak+1 hijack+s1 arm$ assaults1 massacres ( civilians1 de/ruction ( prop]ty1 & =c$ displacem5t ( local population4 7#e7 ,betwe5 ,may #bjbc & ,may #bjbe1 ,fulani-e?nic militias c>ri$ out major massacres 9 ,b5ue & ,plateau ,/ates--includ+ attacks 9 ,umogidi1 ,mgban1 ,yelwata1 ! ,*ri/mas ,eve massacres ( #bjbc & #bjbd1 & ! ,holy ,week & ,ea/] attacks ( #bjbd & #bjbe--kill+ m ?an #i1ejj p1 mo/ly ,*ri/ians1 & displac+ ov] half a million o!rs4 7#f7 ,! acts c>ri$ out by ^! militias are int5d$ to intimidate1 co]ce1 & displace civilian populations1 disrupt local gov]nance1 & ass]t control ov] t]ritory--actions t meet ! crit]ia = designation z a ,=eign ,t]rori/ ,organization 7,,fto7 "u section #bai ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi74 7#g7 ,! expansion ( ^! militias und]m9es ,unit$ ,/ates national security & =eign policy int]e/s1 de/abilizes a /rategically important region1 jeop>dizes religi\s fre$om rights1 & exac]bates ! ?reat environm5t fac+ ,we/ ,africa4 7#h7 ,nig]ian ,*ri/ian cl]gy & imams :o h advocat$ = tol]ance h be5 kidnapp$1 tortur$1 or murd]$1 ) m ?an #bej religi\s lead]s attack$ or kill$ 9 ! pa/ decade1 includ+ ,fa!r ,sylve/] ,oke*ukwu 9 #bjbe4 7#i7 ,*ri/ian lead]s su* z ,fa!r ,remigius ,iyhula & ,bi%op ,wilfr$ ,anagbe1 :o te/ifi$ be=e ,congress 9 ,m>* #bjbe & ,novemb] #bjbe1 h fac$ intimidation & h>assm5t z a direct result ( _! te/imony reg>d+ ! su/a9$ p]secution !y face4 7#aj7 ,nig]ia acc\nts = #gb p]c5t ( all ,*ri/ians m>tyr$ worldwide1 accord+ to ,op5 ,doors' #bjbf ,wat* ,li/4 7#aa7 ,approximately #c4e to #e million ,nig]ians are int]nally displac$1 & m ?an #cdc1jjj rema9 refugees 9 ! ,lake ,*ad region4 7#ab7 ,x rema9s uncle> :e!r any ( ! limit$ inve/igations into ^! viol5t attacks h l$ to prosecutions or convictions ( jihadi/s4 7#ac7 ,def5d+ oneself f an attack c also lead to a dea? s5t5ce l 9 ! case ( ,sunday ,jackson1 a ,*ri/ian f>m] f ,adamawa ,/ate1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to dea? 9 #bjba = ! kill+ ( an arm$ ,fulani h]d]1 despite cr$ible evid5ce t ,mr4 ,jackson act$ 9 self-def5se aft] be+ viol5tly attack$ :ile work+ on 8 f>ml&4 7#ad7 ,9 a %[ ( good fai? f ! ,nig]ian ,gov]nm5t1 ,jackson 0 p>don$ 9 ,decemb] #bjbe aft] sp5d+ a decade 9 prison4 7#ae7 ,nig]ia reta9s & en=ces blasphemy laws c>ry+ ! dea? p5alty 9 #ab nor!rn /ates "u ,%>ia crim9al law2 su* laws h be5 us$ to t>get ,*ri/ians1 ,muslims1 & diss5t]s4 7#af7 ,victims1 su* z ,*ri/ians ,rhoda ,jatau & ,deborah ,yakubu1 h suff]$ mob viol5ce1 imprisonm5t1 or dea? = alleg$ blasphemy1 :ile kn[n p]petrators frequ5tly face no puni%m5t4 7#ag7 ,sufi musician ,yahaya ,%>if-,am9u has be5 deta9$ = #f ye>s 9 ,kano ,/ate on blasphemy *>ges & faces ! dea? p5alty relat$ to peaceful song lyrics2 he is appeal+ 8 case to ! ,supreme ,c\rt ( ,nig]ia4 7#ah7 ,! ,nig]ian ,gov]nm5t r\t9ely d5ies t religi\s p]secution exi/s & has fail$ to adequately int]v5e1 includ+ on e>ly w>n+ notifications ( upcom+ attacks1 includ+ ! ,octob] #ad1 #bjbe1 ,plateau ,/ate massacre4 7#ai7 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,commission on ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om 7,,uscirf7 has recomm5d$ ,nig]ia's designation z a ,c\ntry ( ,p>ticul> ,conc]n 7,,cpc7 e ye> s9ce #bjji4 7#bj7 ,9 #bjbj & aga9 9 ,octob] #bjbe1 ,presid5t ,donald ,j4 ,trump designat$ ,nig]ia a ,,cpc pursuant to ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act ( #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja et seq474 7#ba7 ,! prior adm9i/ration's removal ( ,nig]ia f ! ,,cpc li/ 9 #bjba co9cid$ ) a m>k$ escalation 9 religi\sly motivat$ viol5ce4 7#bb7 ,designat+ ,nig]ia z a ,,cpc enhances diplomatic tools--includ+ sanctions--to pressure ! ,nig]ian ,gov]nm5t to halt religi\s p]secution1 prosecute p]petrators1 & protect vuln]able communities4 #c4 ,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t-- 7#a7 ,presid5t ,donald ,trump act$ ju/ly by designat+ ,nig]ia z a ,c\ntry ( ,p>ticul> ,conc]n1 9 alignm5t ) ! recomm5dations provid$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,commission on ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om 7,,uscirf7 & pursuant to ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act ( #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja et seq472 7#b7 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia has hi/orically fail$ to adequately respond to or prev5t religi\sly motivat$ viol5ce & cont9ues to tol]ate impunity by extremi/ actors1 9 "p by d5y+ ! religi\s nature ( su* extremism2 7#c7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates %\ld use all available diplomatic1 humanit>ian1 economic1 & security tools to pressure ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia to-- 7,a7 end impunity = p]petrators ( mass atrocities & religi\s p]secution2 7,b7 protect ,*ri/ian communities1 cl]gy1 & o!r t>get$ religi\s m9orities2 7,c7 enable ! safe & volunt>y return ( int]nally displac$ p]sons to _! homel&s1 prioritiz+ p]secut$ ,*ri/ian communities2 & 7,d7 ensure fre$om ( religion is protect$ by e level ( gov]nm5t & t ! prop] legal *annels ensure ?is "r rema9s :olly intact1 includ+ ! repeal ( blasphemy laws & release prison]s deta9$ = _! fai?2 7#d7 ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t engagem5t has enc\rag$ ! ,nig]ian ,gov]nm5t to take positive /eps t[>ds address+ ^! ?reats by extremi/ gr\ps & are enc\rag$ to engage 9 a bilat]al agreem5t to protect ^! vuln]able communities1 elim9ate jihadi/ t]ror activities1 fur!r economic coop]ation1 & c\nt] mutual adv]s>ies 9 ! region2 7#e7 !re is bip>tisan congressional support to consid] appropriate security coop]ation ) ,nig]ia1 includ+ condition+ ( =eign assi/ance z 0 done 9 ! ,fiscal ,ye> #bjbf ,national ,security1 ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate1 & ,relat$ ,programs ,appropriations ,bill sign$ into law by ,presid5t ,trump z "p ( ! ,consolidat$ ,appropriations ,act1 #bjbf1 to enhance ef=ts to protect innoc5t lives2 7#f7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates %\ld deliv] humanit>ian assi/ance1 co-fund$ by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia1 ?r\gh tru/$ civil society organizations1 includ+ fai?-bas$ organizations1 9 ,nig]ia's middle belt /ates2 7#g7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,treasury %\ld impose t>get$ sanctions1 includ+ visa bans & asset freezes "u ! ,global ,magnitsky ,human ,rights ,acc\ntability ,act1 on individuals or entities responsible = sev]e religi\s fre$om violations1 or report to ,congress ! reasons su* sanctions h n be5 impos$1 includ+-- 7,a7 ,fulani-e?nic nomad militias 9 ,nig]ia2 7,b7 ,rabiu ,musa ,kwankwaso1 =m] ,kano ,/ate ,gov]nor2 7,c7 ,miyetti ,allah ,cattle ,bre$]s ,association ( ,nig]ia 7,,macban72 & 7,d7 ,miyetti ,allah ,kautal ,hore2 7#h7 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %\ld det]m9e :e!r c]ta9 ,fulani-e?nic militias 9 ,nig]ia qualify z a =eign t]rori/ organization "u section #bai ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi72 7#i7 individuals & networks--dome/ic or =eign--t provide support to ^! ,fulani-e?nic militias %\ld be inve/igat$ & held acc\ntable2 7#aj7 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %\ld consid] te*nical support to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia to r$uce & !n elim9ate viol5ce f arm$ ,fulani militias1 includ+ dis>mam5t programs & compreh5sive c\nt]-t]rorism coop]ation to rid ! region ( ,=eign ,t]rori/ ,organizations t pose a direct ?reat to ! ,am]ican homel&2 7#aa7 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %\ld "w ) ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia to c\nt]act ! ho/ile =eign exploitation ( ,*9ese illegal m9+ op]ations & _! de/abiliz+ practice ( pay+ protection money to ,fulani militias2 7#ab7 ! ,nig]ian ,gov]nm5t %\ld ?or\ghly inve/igate in/ances ( p5alties or imprisonm5t "u blasphemy laws or ,%>ia law & "w to end ^! practices & repeal su* laws2 7#ac7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates /&s 9 solid>ity ) ,*ri/ians & all p]secut$ religi\s m9orities 9 ,nig]ia 9 _! "r to practice _! fai? )\t fe> ( viol5ce1 p]secution1 or dea?1 & a future goodwill relation%ip betwe5 ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ,nig]ia h+es ^u ! ,nig]ian ,gov]nm5t's response mov+ =w>d to adequately address ! atrocities describ$ 9 ?is ,act2 7#ad7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate is enc\rag$ to enli/ ! support ( int]national p>tn]s1 includ+ ,france1 ,hung>y1 & ! ,unit$ ,k+dom1 to "w ) ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia to promote religi\s fre$om & peace2 & 7#ae7 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia c play a key /abiliz+ role 9 ! ,sahel region & across ! cont95t & is pois$ to deep5 & /r5g!n _! relation%ip ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates if !y w "w ) u to combat ! p]secution ( ,*ri/ians 9 ,nig]ia4 #d4 ,report+ requirem5t 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & annually !reaft] until ,nig]ia is no long] designat$ z a ,c\ntry ( ,p>ticul> ,conc]n pursuant to ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act ( #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja et seq47 & 9 accordance ) ! recomm5dations provid$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,commission on ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om 7,,uscirf71 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %all submit to ! ,committee on ,=eign ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 ! ,committee on ,=eign ,relations ( ! ,s5ate1 & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate a compreh5sive report on ,unit$ ,/ates ef=ts to address religi\s p]secution & mass atrocities 9 ,nig]ia4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,ea* report requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,an assessm5t ( ,nig]ia's compliance ) ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act ( #aiih1 includ+ specific actions tak51 or n tak51 by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia to prev5t p]secution1 prosecute p]petrators1 repeal blasphemy laws1 protect vuln]able communities1 & facilitate ! safe return ( int]nally displac$ p]sons4 7#b7 ,id5tification ( all individuals & entities sanction$1 or "u consid]ation = sanctions1 "u ! ,global ,magnitsky ,human ,rights ,acc\ntability ,act or ! ,entities ( ,p>ticul> ,conc]n li/4 7#c7 ,a description ( co-inve/m5ts & collaborative ef=ts betwe5 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia & ! ,unit$ ,/ates to provide & deliv] humanit>ian assi/ance to ,*ri/ians displac$ by ! attacks f ,fulani-e?nic militias1 ?r\gh fai?-bas$ or nongov]nm5tal p>tn]s1 includ+ am\nts1 recipi5ts1 type ( assi/ance provid$1 & measurable outcomes4 7#d7 ,an evaluation & description ( hi/orical1 ongo+1 & plann$ ,unit$ ,/ates security assi/ance to ,nig]ia1 & a compreh5sive assessm5t ( :e!r su* assi/ance risks enabl+ or exac]bat+ religi\s p]secution4 7#e7 ,:e!r ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia is tak+ appropriate /eps to cease en=cem5t ( & repeal blasphemy laws1 & to inve/igate in/ances ( non-,muslims1 ,muslims1 & diss5t]s be+ subject$ to ,%>ia law or blasphemy laws4 7#f7 ,an assessm5t ( conditions ( int]nally displac$ p]sons1 includ+ safety1 humanit>ian ne$s1 & prospects = return4 7#g7 ,recomm5dations = fur!r executive actions or congressional au?ority det]m9$ to be necess>y & mo/ helpful to halt ! religi\s p]secution & mass atrocities occurr+ 9 ,nig]ia4 7#h7 ,an evaluation ( any /eps tak5 by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,nig]ia dur+ ! report+ p]iod to address religi\s p]secution1 dismantle extremi/ networks1 prosecute attack]s1 re=m security =ces1 or improve protection = at-risk communities4