Resolution on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

The European Parliament adopted by 510 votes to 1, with 86 abstentions, a resolution on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.

In June 2026, a brutal armed attack on civilians in the Kawel village, Plateau State, caused dozens of deaths among the local Christian community, widespread injuries, and infrastructure damage, reflecting the tragic intersection of ethnic-religious tensions and resource conflicts.

Despite repeated warnings from local communities, churches, and human rights and civil society organisations, the Nigerian authorities have been unable to provide adequate protection to vulnerable Christian populations and vulnerable communities in general.

Parliament strongly condemned all violence perpetrated against civilians in Kawel and the wider Middle Belt. It particularly deplored the disproportionate impact on women and girls, and firmly denounced the alarming rise in targeted abductions and kidnappings. It expressed its deepest condolences to the families of all victims and reiterated its commitment to defending freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Nigeria is urged to:

- conduct a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the Kawel massacre to bring perpetrators to justice and end the culture of impunity;

- strengthen both counterterrorism operations against armed militants, particularly in the Middle Belt region, and efforts to counter Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province;

- remedy intelligence failures, improve early-warning sharing, strengthen state-led civilian protection, invest in regional mediation, implement sustainable land management policies, foster food security and address ecological drivers;

- address the situation of internally displaced persons effectively by providing adequate temporary shelter and prioritising their safe return to their home communities.

Lastly, Members called on the EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU to pay particular attention to the deteriorating situation of Christians and all persecuted religious communities in Nigeria.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading