As Nigeria Violence Cascades, Rights Advocates Petition Biden

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) speaks during a meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama (R) at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nov. 18, 2021 Andrew Harnik / POOL /AFP via Getty Images

A group of human rights watchdogs has petitioned President Joe Biden to reinstate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern regarding severe violations of human rights within its borders.

Although the State Department assigned that designation to Nigeria a year ago, it was rescinded shortly before Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit there on Nov. 18.