Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Virginia, on Tuesday opposed a bill condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria for not including LGBTQ people.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday markup to invoice We condemn the violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, including the ongoing persecution and killings of Christians. Mr Connolly, a member of the committee, said he did not support the bill in its current form because it did not encompass a broad condemnation of all persecution in Nigeria, including against the “gay and lesbian community”. . (Related: 'Definitely not a starter': House Republicans vow to block Senate border bill)
“Congress cannot simply say, 'We're only concerned about the persecution of Christians.' We're concerned about someone's human rights being violated,” Connolly said. Said during Tuesday's committee markup session. “By the way, that includes the gay and lesbian communities that are suffering in Nigeria and other African countries. [and] Even at the hands of religious leaders who called for the death penalty because of someone's sexual orientation. ”
Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are moving to pass a resolution that would declare Nigeria a “country of particular concern” due to genocide against Christians.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) said he opposes the bill because it does not mention homosexuals.
“Congress cannot do that… pic.twitter.com/g3UELkDNge
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 6, 2024
“If we're going to represent ourselves respectfully, of course, instead of picking on a particular group and basically saying, 'This is what we're concerned about.' , it should be a comprehensive statement,” Connolly said.
Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pennsylvania, later said the bill was intended to unequivocally condemn violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, and that unspecified colleagues were “murdering the waters” with unrelated points. accused of trying to Connolly responded that he considered it a “slander” and explained his personal history with Catholicism.
Islamic extremists and subversives terrorize and persecute Christians in Nigeria, where more believers are killed for their faith each year than anywhere else in the world. according to To Open Doors International.
The Biden administration has ended grants providing aid to persecuted Christians in Nigeria in 2021. according to to the Heritage Foundation. House Resolution 82, which is being further considered by a committee on Tuesday, would direct the Biden administration to address Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for violating religious freedom. There is.
Same-sex acts have been criminalized in Nigeria since 2023 and are considered crimes punishable by imprisonment and punishment. according to Toward trust in human dignity. There have been multiple reports of violence and harassment against people identifying as LBGTQ in Nigeria, including reports that some have been killed.
Connolly did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
