The ‘Search for Common Ground’ has Launched Toll-free line to Promote and Protect Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nigeria.
The International Non-governmental Organisation is being supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The launch of the religion or belief hotline is to Promote and Protect Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nigeria” (PP-FORB Nigeria) project.
This 36-month initiative aims to empower actors to prevent and address conflicts along religious lines and advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) across the Country.
The Project Background as made available to Newsmen was implemented at the national level and across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions.
It seeks to establish effective Early Warning and Response as well as referral mechanisms to address FoRB violations and related violence.
The comprehensive approach according to a statement made available to Newsmen include;capacity strengthening for stakeholders, the dissemination of strategic messages on FoRB, and the promotion of interfaith dialogue.
The established Early Warning and Response mechanisms will detect and respond to emerging FoRB violations.
The toll-free line, 080-0000-2233, offers confidential and free support for victims of FoRB violations, emphasizing that protection starts with individual action.
Toll-Free Line: 080-0000-2233 (Confidential & Free)
In 2023, PP-FoRB according to the Statement has achieved significant milestones, including increased awareness among stakeholders, intervention in critical cases of blasphemy and apostasy, and strengthened collaborations with vital organizations like Legal Aid, FIDA, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
This year, the Sear for Common Ground focus on deepening community engagement and enhancing public understanding of FoRB.
The Organisation’s subsequent activities as revealed include; Youth Inter-faith Dialogue: Engaging youths from four communities nationwide to discuss misconceptions and promote interfaith understanding, Higher-Level Advocacy Visit: Engaging high-level stakeholders, including religious leaders, human rights defenders, and government officials, to advocate for FoRB, Public Engagement: Utilizing town hall meetings, radio talk shows, and Community Theater to spread awareness and acceptance of FoRB principles.