According to a 19 January 2010 article published by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Nigeria is regularly faced with violence between Muslims and Christians, particularly in central and northern states. The International Religious Freedom Report of the United States (US) Department of State indicates that hostility between the two communities has increased, particularly in the Middle Belt (US 26 Oct. 2009, Intro.) or central Nigeria (Gauquelin 2009). According to Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009 of the US Department of State, in 2009, ethno-religious violence resulted in “numerous deaths and the displacement of thousands of persons throughout the country” (US 11 Mar. 2010, Sec. 2c). Human Rights Watch notes that intercommunal conflicts have claimed the lives of 13,500 people in Nigeria (Jan. 2010).

Causes of hostilities

Sources consulted by the Research Directorate note that the causes of tensions between Christians and Muslims involve more than just religious differences (The Christian Post 12 Mar. 2010; La Croix 8 Mar. 2010).

According to an 8 March 2010 article published by Christian newspaper La Croix (Paris), aside from religion, there are ethnic, political and economic factors that can be attributed to the intercommunal [translation] "massacres" (see also Le Figaro 10 Mar. 2010). The Christian Post, an independent Christian media source based in Washington, DC (n.d.), states that the conflicts between Muslims and Christians are generated by the struggles between the different tribes for access to, among other things, resources, land and jobs (The Christian Post 12 Mar. 2010). Le Figaro, a Paris daily, explains the situation as follows:

[Translation]

In Nigeria, this bloody competition is compounded by a system inherited from British colonial rule, and has been reinforced by the successive governments of “indigenous people” since independence. In each of the federated states, one or more ethnic groups officially designated as the original inhabitants, enjoy privileges denied to other citizens, such as civil service positions or spaces in universities. The artificiality of this concept of identity is nowhere more apparent than in the Plateau state, established in 1976 for a few ethnic groups, mostly Christian, including the Berom people-victims of the last massacre. Hausa-Fulani farmers, although present, sometimes since the nineteenth century, claimed the designation of “indigenous people” in vain against the refusal of the Berom people, who cling to their benefits. (Le Figaro 10 Mar. 2010)

According to the analyses of a Human Rights Watch specialist based in Dakar and cited by the Parisian daily Libération, in Jos, citizens called [translation] “indigenous” are mostly Christians, while Muslims from the north of the country are treated as foreigners (Libération 20 Jan. 2010). According to an article in the La Croix newspaper, they [translation] “feel discriminated against and willingly use violence to change things” (8 Mar. 2010). Still according to the Human Rights Watch specialist, cited this time by Le Figaro, [translation] “these repeated massacres can also be attributed to the indifference of the federal authorities …. In addition to interethnic massacres, the security forces have also killed people. But no one has ever been tried” (10 Mar. 2010). Moreover, politically, there are divisions between the two communities-Muslims tend to support the opposition party, the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), while Christians support the governing party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) (Libération 20 Jan. 2010; La Croix 8 Mar. 2010; US 26 Oct. 2009, Sec. 3). The International Religious Freedom Report indicates that certain local politicians and others use religion to fuel conflicts between groups (ibid.).

Situation in central Nigeria

Many sources consulted by the Research Directorate reported on the [translation] “massacre” of several hundreds of people in March 2010 around the city of Jos (Afrik.com 8 Mar. 2010; AFP 10 Mar. 2010; Le Figaro 10 Mar. 2010), the capital of Plateau state (Libération 20 Jan. 2010; Le Figaro 21 Jan. 2010). While the Plateau state authorities estimated 500 deaths (Le Figaro 10 Mar. 2010; AFP 10 Mar. 2010), the police reported 109 deaths (Le Figaro 10 Mar. 2010). Local civilian sources have stated that there were 200 to 400 deaths (ibid.; AFP 10 Mar. 2010). The massacre was led by Muslims of the Fulani ethnic group against Christians of the Berom ethnic group (Afrik.com 8 Mar. 2010). The governor of Plateau state accused the military of ignoring his warnings of incidents that hinted at a coming massacre (AFP 10 Mar. 2010). However, the Nigerian authorities allegedly arrested 95 people in connection with this massacre (Afrik.com 8 Mar. 2010; AFP 10 Mar. 2010). The majority of the victims were women and children (Afrik.com 8 Mar. 2010). This massacre was allegedly committed in retaliation to the massacre that was perpetrated by Christians against Muslims in January of the same year, according to unspecified sources (Le Figaro 10 Mar. 2010; The Christian Post 12 Mar. 2010), which resulted in about 300 deaths (Afrik.com 8 Mar. 2010; AFP 10 Mar. 2010). Citing Human Rights Watch, Libération reports that [translation] “homes, churches and mosques were burned by ‘mobs armed with guns, bows and arrows, and machetes’” (20 Jan. 2010). A 21 January 2010 article published by Le Figaro noted that these clashes were triggered by [translation] “disputes over the reconstruction of houses, even a mosque, destroyed during the riots of November 2008.”

According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the clashes between Christians and Muslims that occurred in November 2008 resulted in about 700 victims (Jan. 2010; Le Figaro 21 Jan. 2010). According to Le Figaro, the hostilities were initiated following the deaths of five Muslim students, who were killed by Christians (21 Jan. 2010), while Human Rights Watch claims that they occurred following the local elections in the city of Jos (Jan. 2010).

According to some sources, religious clashes occur often in the city of Jos (UN 20 Jan. 2010; Libération 20 Jan. 2010). Since 2001, there have been over 2,000 deaths caused by violence between the communities (La Croix 8 Mar. 2010). The city is divided into Muslim and Christian areas (ibid.).

Situation in northern Nigeria

Two sources report that 12 states in northern Nigeria, namely Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Zamfara and Gombe apply the principles of Sharia (US 26 Oct. 2009, Sec. 2; AED n.d.) or Islamic law (ibid.; CFR 23 Mar. 2009). According to the International Religious Freedom Report, many Christians allege that accepting Sharia courts amounts to the adoption of Islam as a state religion (US 26 Oct. 2009, Sec. 2). In addition, although Sharia law “technically” does not apply to non-Muslims, certain principles inspired by Sharia, such as separation based on gender in public schools, health care institutions and public transportation services, have affected non-Muslims living in northern Nigeria (ibid.).

According to Aid to the Church in Need (Aide à l’église en détresse, AED), an organization that supports persecuted Christians throughout the world, Christian communities in the Muslim states of Nigeria claim they are suffering from acts of [translation] “intolerance and religious discrimination” such as, false accusations of blasphemy against Islam, refusal to permit the construction of Christian churches or cemeteries, the demolition of [translation] “illegal” churches, the kidnapping of teenagers in order to make them marry and force them to convert to Islam, discrimination in the employment sector and in public services, intimidation and death threats against Muslim converts to Christianity, and the enforcement of Sharia for Christians before the courts, despite the law (AED n.d.). The International Religious Freedom Report reports that Christians from Muslim-majority states have accused the authorities of preventing the construction of new churches and of supporting the destruction of existing churches (US 26 Oct. 2009, Sec. 2).

Also according to the International Religious Freedom Report, in April 2009, some Gwarda Muslims in Niger state allegedly burned some churches and houses and injured approximately 20 Christians during the Easter holiday; 88 people were allegedly arrested by the police following these events (ibid., Sec. 3). Furthermore, a Human Rights Watch report indicates that in July 2008, during a clash between security forces and a group of Islamic militants from northern Nigeria called Boko Haram, in which there were at least 800 deaths, the Islamic militants allegedly burned some churches and killed Christians. (Jan. 2010). Information on the situation of Christians in other parts of Nigeria could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Unaccompanied women and single mothers

Information on the situation of unaccompanied women and single mothers was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. During a 7 July 2010 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the non-governmental organization (NGO) for women’s rights Moms Club International Nigeria stated that unaccompanied and single women have always been vulnerable people in Nigerian society, both during peacetime and during the various conflicts. During the clashes between Christians and Muslims, many of these women were subjected to various abuses, including [translation] “massacres, destruction of their property, rape and looting” (Moms Club International Nigeria 7 July 2010). The Representative also stated that because of the [translation] “weakness of the state due to generalized corruption”, the authorities do not provide them with adequate protection (ibid.). NGOs such as Moms Club International Nigeria offer them assistance, including food, clothing, medical care, and education services (ibid.). Further information on the NGOs that provide assistance to unaccompanied women and to single mothers could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Afrik.com. 8 March 2010. Shahinez Benabed. “Nouvelle poussée de violence au Nigéria.” [Accessed 5 July 2010]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 10 March 2010. “Des habitants de la région de Jos, effrayés, se réfugient dans les casernes.” (Jeune Afrique) [Accessed 5 July 2010]

_____. 19 January 2010. “Au Nigéria, des violences entre chrétiens et musulmans ont fait au moins 192 victimes.” (La Croix) [Accessed 5 July 2010]

Aide à l’église en détresse (AED). N.d. “Nigéria : Appartenance religieuse.” [Accessed 12 July 2010]

The Christian Post. 12 March 2010. Ethan Cole. “Nigerian Women Carry Bibles, Protest Massacre.” [Accessed 5 July 2010]

__________. N.d. “The Christian Post.” [Accessed 13 July 2010]

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). 23 March 2009. Lauren Vriens. “Islam: Governing Under Sharia.” [Accessed 9 July 2010]

La Croix [Paris]. 8 March 2010. Agnès Rotivel. “Des chrétiens victimes de violences ethnico-religieuses au Nigéria.” [Accessed 5 July 2010]

Le Figaro [Paris]. 10 March 2010. Pierre Prier. “Le Nigéria s’enfonce dans les massacres.” [Accessed 5 July 2010]

_____. 21 January 2010. Pierre Prier. “L’armée nigériane sépare chrétiens et musulmans.” [Accessed 5 July 2010]

Gauquelin, Maud. 2009. “Comprendre la ‘crise de Jos’ au Nigéria.” (Institut français de recherche en Afrique, IFRA) [Accessed 30 June 2010]

Human Rights Watch. January 2010. “Nigeria.” World Report 2010: Events of 2009. [Accessed 7 July 2010]

Libération [Paris]. 20 January 2010. Sylvain Mouillard. “Nigéria : la ville de Jos de nouveau en proie aux violences inter-religieuses.” [Accessed 6 July 2010]

Moms Club International Nigeria. 7 July 2010. Telephone interview with a representative.

United Nations (UN). 20 January 2010. UN News Centre. “Nigéria : Ban inquiet des violences interreligieuses dans la ville de Jos.” [Accessed 6 July 2010]

United States (US). 11 March 2010. Department of State. “Nigeria.” Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009. [Accessed 30 June 2010]

_____. 26 October 2009. Department of State. “Nigeria.” International Religious Freedom Report 2009. [Accessed 30 June 2010]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the offices of the National Council of Women’s Societies, the Women Resource Development and Protection Agency, and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Nigeria were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: African Press Organization (APO), Afrol News, AllAfrica.com, ASSIST News Service (ANS), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’homme (FIDH), Freedom House, InfoSud Belgique (InfoSud), International Christian Concern (ICC), Internationale de l’éducation (IE), Le Monde [Paris], Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), Reuters, United Nations (UN) Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), Voice of America (VOA).