„Religious communities and minorities continue to suffer because of violence based on religious belief. Violence against them is not abating, in fact, the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences have further exacerbated the vulnerability to which religious communities and minorities were already exposed. There are too many countries where people are regularly subjected to violent attacks because of their faith.
This is stated by the missionary Christian agency "Open Doors/Open Doors". on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Religious Belief, established by the United Nations and celebrated on August 22.
„In the northern part of Nigeria – indicated by the agency – where Islamic law is in force and applied to civil and criminal cases, Christians (who are a minority in the north) are regularly subjected to acts of discrimination and religious intolerance. Because of the coronavirus, these discriminations have increased even more. The agency cited “cases of discrimination in the distribution of humanitarian aid to Christians: there are cases in Kaduna state confirming that Christian families received food portions six times smaller than those of Muslim families”. In Nigeria's central belt, where violence and aggression against rural communities, predominantly Christian, is systematic, “attacks continued with general impunity even during the quarantine period, during which the Nigerian government imposed restrictions on the freedom of movement of its citizens” . Government restrictions have forced Nigerians to stay at home, but in these areas of the country, staying at home means being where you are most vulnerable to attack, and the restrictions, which certainly did not stop attackers, have prevented innocent citizens from finding refuge elsewhere to save their lives ”. Local sources of “Open Doors” point out that Christians are accused of causing or spreading the pandemic in Burkina Faso, Niger and Somalia.
The situation is no better for Christians in India who are persecuted for their faith. They are often accused of “forcing“ others to convert are beaten and their religious services disrupted by Hindu extremists. Religious intolerance has grown dramatically in recent years and the number of cases of violence against Christians remains high “. "Aggravating their already critical situation, some Christians have been excluded from humanitarian aid during the coronavirus crisis," continues "Open Doors", recalling that "a study prepared by a group of researchers in the country confirms the high intensity of attacks due to of the coronavirus against Christians and Muslims“.
Hence the appeal of “Open Doors“: “Violence based on religious belief can no longer be ignored, the price paid by men, women and children whose human dignity is trampled because of their faith is too high. The coronavirus has only increased the pressure on religious communities and minorities. It is time for states to take full primary responsibility for protecting the rights of the individual and ensuring that their faith does not make them vulnerable to violent attacks.
Also on the occasion of the day, the European Union published a declaration stating that “too many people in the world are discriminated against because of their very nature or what they believe or do not believe. Persecution is directed at those who profess their religion or beliefs through worship and education, or those who change or abandon their religion or beliefs. Attacks against individuals based on their religion or beliefs, as well as violence committed under the pretext of religious doctrine, requirements or practices are unacceptable“.
Referring to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the EU notes “that conspiracy theories and scapegoating of religious or faith communities are being observed, contributing to an increase in public preaching of religious hatred, which constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. These manifestations are often early warning signals of violent attacks and other forms of human rights violations and abuses. At the same time, religious leaders play a major role in providing humanitarian aid and social services, which contributes to the global fight against the pandemic.
Hence the assurance of the EU that it will commit even more strongly to the elimination of “any form of persecution and discrimination of individuals through multilateral cooperation and engagement within the framework of UN human rights forums and initiatives under the auspices of the UN . The European Union will continue to work at home and abroad to fight discrimination and hate speech based on religion or belief, as well as to fight impunity and strengthen accountability.
Source: vaticannews.va