US tightens visa policy on those involved in persecution of Christians

The U.S. Department of State announced new visa restrictions for individuals and organizations responsible for persecuting Christians and violating religious freedoms around the world. This measure is aimed at increasing international pressure on governments and groups that systematically infringe on the rights of believers.

As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his X (Twitter) account , the new policy will be applied globally, although the situation in Nigeria is mentioned as an example. «The United States is taking decisive action in response to atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The State Department will restrict the issuance of U.S. visas to those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom, » Rubio said in a statement.

It is emphasized that the restrictions will affect both government officials and private individuals involved in religious repression. In addition, visa bans may be extended to their family members. Thus, the U.S. administration intends to seek compliance with the fundamental rights to freedom of religion and protect Christian minorities from persecution.

We shall remind you that earlier we reported that the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelenskyy, complained that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was trying to get the USA to impose personal sanctions against him. The official believes that this way he is being pressured and Ukraine is being discredited.