On 8 July 2026, the European Parliament is considering an amendment to its joint resolution on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel, that would warn against purely military responses. Amendment 7, tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt on behalf of The Left Group, adds a new paragraph urging a comprehensive civilian protection strategy addressing root causes of violence rather than only counter-terrorism measures. The amendment identifies structural drivers including competition over land, water, and grazing routes; climate pressures such as desertification, droughts, and floods; historical 'indigene-settler' discrimination; impunity; state failure; and absence of trusted justice mechanisms. It calls for an EU response combining security, accountability, early warning and response systems, land and resource mediation, climate adaptation, equal citizenship, reconciliation, and support for local peacebuilding. The amendment shifts the resolution's focus from condemning persecution to addressing structural drivers, urging a civilian-led, multi-dimensional EU approach. The joint resolution was originally tabled by the PPE, S&D, ECR, Renew, and Verts/ALE groups. The amendment is still to be examined and voted on by the plenary.
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