Nigeria: New Arab constitutions should envisage protection for religious minorities, says Terzi

ROME, Italy, June 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Italy is working to “foster transformation processes in the Arab world” that are inspired by “the consolidation of constitutions, values and principles that bring more protection for religious and cultural minorities”. The new wave of attacks on Christians in Nigeria is “a form of terrorism that is spreading alarmingly”.

Our country hopes to see the protection of religious minorities incorporated in the constitutions of the countries of the Arab Spring. This was the comment made by Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi at the end of his meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil El Araby, with reference to the new wave of attacks on Christians in Nigeria. The meeting took place at the Foreign Ministry in Rome yesterday, 13 June 2012.

Fostering transformation processes in the Arab world

Italy, underscored Terzi, is working to “foster transformation processes in the Arab world” that are inspired by “the consolidation of constitutions, values and principles that lead to more protection for religious and cultural minorities”. El Araby explained that “these transition processes are still under way” and will take time. He added that the Arab League has been asked, by various actors, “to draw up a sort of 'bill of rights' for the Arab world”.

Attacks on Christians a form of terrorism

In Terzi's opinion, the new wave of attacks on Christians in Nigeria is “a form of terrorism that is spreading alarmingly”. Nigeria, he said, “must find instruments for collaboration with the countries of the region to combat and prevent the phenomenon”. At the same time, the international community must provide the input of “concrete education and teacher-training projects and information campaigns for civil society to develop a different social conscience”.