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ACR 175

Condemns genocide against Christians in Nigeria and urges United States Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as "Country of Particular Concern."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Fantasia

Condemns genocide of Christians in Nigeria and urges the U.S. to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
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Bill Summary · ACR 175

Summary: ACR 175 (New Jersey) – Condemns genocide against Christians in Nigeria and urges CPC designation

Overview

  • Bill: ACR 175
  • Title: Condemns genocide against Christians in Nigeria and urges United States Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC)
  • Type: Concurrent resolution (legislative expression of the New Jersey General Assembly, with Senate concurrence)
  • Status: Introduced November 24, 2025; referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
  • Subject: International Affairs

What the bill would do

  • Section 1: Declares that the New Jersey Legislature condemns the religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria as genocide.
  • Section 2: Urges the United States Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
  • Section 3: Requires transmission of the resolution’s copies to the President and Vice President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Senate and House leaders (both parties), every member of Congress elected from New Jersey, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
  • Overall effect: A formal, non-binding state-level condemnation and request urging federal action; primarily a symbolic but potentially influential statement intended to align U.S. policy with concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria.

Rationale, definitions, and sources cited

  • The resolution emphasizes that Nigeria has a large Christian population (approximately 92 million Christians, about 40% of the population).
  • Cites reported impacts since 2009: more than 50,000 Christians killed, over 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed, and more than 15 million Christians displaced due to faith-based violence.
  • Describes Nigeria as one of the most dangerous countries to be Christian, citing vulnerability to targeted attacks and discrimination.
  • Notes that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended CPC designation annually since 2009.
  • References March 2025 action by U.S. Representative Chris Smith (H.Res. 220) advocating CPC designation for Nigeria.
  • Uses UN definitions of genocide (acts with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a protected group) to characterize the persecution as genocide.
  • Cites NGO and civil society reports (e.g., Intersociety and Open Doors International) as basis for the reported figures.

Who/what would be affected

  • Intended audience: U.S. policymakers and diplomatic channels; the resolution signals New Jersey’s stance on Nigeria’s religious freedom crisis.
  • Policy impact: While strictly symbolic, the resolution seeks to influence U.S. foreign policy discussions and strengthen advocacy for Nigeria’s designation as CPC.
  • Administrative impact: Minor administrative steps to transmit copies to listed officials and institutions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: November 24, 2025
  • Current status: Referenced to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
  • Next steps: Committee consideration, potential floor vote in the Assembly, and, if adopted, transmission as specified. As a concurrent resolution, it would require concurrence by the New Jersey Senate to have full effect as state law; otherwise, it remains a ceremonial expression of the Legislature.

Potential considerations

  • The resolution is non-binding and does not create new law or spending authority.
  • Its impact depends on federal actions and international diplomacy; it serves to articulate state-level concern and diplomatic posture regarding Nigeria’s religious freedom situation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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