The spotlight turned on breaches of human rights in Nigeria, as well as Pakistan and Sudan on July 8, 2026, the last workday of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, before the Summer break.

After the debates on Wednesday night, Thursday’s voting round passed resolutions against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria with 510 votes, 1 vote against the resolution, and 86 abstentions.

Speaking on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, MEP Miriam Lexmann defined the massacre in the village of Kawel as “yet another tragic reminder” of rising violence in Nigeria.

An armed group on June 21, 2026 killed at least 20 people and clashed with police during a night attack on Kawel, a community located in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.

Lexmann called on the EU to strongly condemn the attacks and lobby the Nigerian government into intensifying its fight against the armed groups responsible for them, including Fulani militias and Boko Haram.

Pakistan and Sudan

As to the situation in Pakistan, MEP Alessandra Moretti denounced the condition of girls who are victims of forced marriage and forced conversion, speaking of a “systematic breaching of rights” and asking for an urgent legislation to protect women and children.

The parliament also voted condemning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan with 476 votes for, 28 votes against, and 96 abstentions. In the debate on the situation in El-Obeid, in Sudan, MEP Marit Maij spoke of a “clock that’s ticking” for the civilian population, asking the European institutions for a consistent political response.