What changed

B100122/2025

P10_TA(2025)0018

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the continuingContinuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

(2025/2548(RSP))

PE769.125

European Parliament resolution of 13 February 2025 on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (2025/2548(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Nigeria,

– having regard to RuleRules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas all people have the right to freedom of expression and to manifest their religion or belief, as well as to take part in cultural life and the development of their society through artistic expression, without fear of imprisonment, reprisals or even execution;

A. whereas on 10 August 2020, Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was brought before an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State where he was tried without legal representation and sentenced to death by hanging for song lyrics allegedly containing derogatory comments regarding the Prophet Muhammad; whereas his family faced harassment and persecution following his arrest;

whereas on 10 August 2020, Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was brought before an upper Sharia court in Kano State, where he was tried and sentenced to death by hanging for alleged blasphemy in a song he composed and shared on social media containing allegedly derogatory comments regarding the Prophet Muhammad;

B. whereas in January 2021, the Kano State High Court ordered a retrial and in August 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld it, while affirming the constitutionality of Sharia blasphemy laws, posing serious risk that the death sentence will be confirmed; whereas Sharif-Aminu appealed to the Supreme Court in November 2022, which remains pending; whereas he is reportedly in critical condition in prison as his health has deteriorated and he lacks sufficient food, clothing and medication;

whereas his death sentence was quashed by a court of appeal, but remains deeply concerned that Mr. Sharif-Aminu’s case will be re-prosecuted based on the same legal framework, the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law, with serious risks that the death sentence will be confirmed;

C. whereas other Nigerians remain imprisoned on blasphemy charges;

whereas on 20 April 2023, the European Parliament adopted an urgency resolution on the risk of the death penalty and the execution of singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Yahaya Sharif, Rhoda Jatau, Mubarak Bala and others who face blasphemy allegations;

D. whereas Nigeria’s blasphemy laws violate its international human rights commitments, the African Charter and the Nigerian Constitution; whereas blasphemy accusations frequently lead to harassment, violence and mob killings; whereas Nigeria is one of seven countries where an individual can be sentenced to death for blasphemy;

whereas blasphemy laws in Nigeria are in violation of its international human rights commitments, the African Charter and the Nigerian Constitution;

E. whereas everyone has the right to freedom of expression, religion and belief;

1. Urges the Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, whodrop wasall convictedcharges ofagainst blasphemyhim, forguarantee writinghis asafety songand due process rights, and sharingensure itadequate access to food, clothing and medical treatment; calls on athe socialSupreme messagingCourt service;of Nigeria to ensure an expedited and fair appeals process; calls for the release of all others facing blasphemy allegations;

Commends the acquittal of Rhoda Jatau and release of Mubarak Bala while noting that neither of them should have been arrested in the first place;

2. Recalls that blasphemy laws are in clear breach of international human rights obligations, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and are contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and expression;

Recalls that blasphemy laws are in clear breach of international human rights obligations, in particular the ICCPR, and contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom and freedom of expression;

3. Urges the Nigerian authorities to uphold human rights throughout the country by ensuring that federal, state and Sharia laws do not deny Nigerians the protections afforded by the national constitution and international conventions; stresses Nigeria’s responsibility to lead by example in abolishing blasphemy laws, including religious insult in criminal law, that systematically endanger religious minorities, violate fundamental freedoms and fuel sectarian violence;

Urges the Nigerian authorities to uphold human rights throughout the country by ensuring that federal, state and Sharia law do not deny Nigerians protection under the national Constitution and international conventions; urges the Nigerian authorities to repeal the blasphemy laws at federal and state level;

4. Urges Nigeria to impose a nationwide moratorium on executions and work towards fully abolishing the death penalty;

Recalls that Nigeria has immense influence throughout Africa and the Muslim world and stresses that this case is an unprecedented opportunity to lead the way towards abolishing blasphemy laws;

5. Urges the Nigerian Government to combat the impunity surrounding blasphemy accusations by penalising the purveyors of false allegations and bringing perpetrators of mob violence to justice;

Urges the Supreme Court to consider Mr. Sharif-Aminu’s case as a priority, and to urgently adopt a decision taking into consideration Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law;

6. Calls for the EU and its Member States to raise individual cases, human rights concerns and blasphemy laws with the Nigerian authorities and to ensure the diplomatic observation of legal proceedings when Sharif-Aminu’s trial commences at the Supreme Court; commends the acquittal of Rhoda Jatau and release of Mubarak Bala;

Calls on the Nigerian authorities to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council, European External Action Service and VP/HR, and the Government and Parliament of Nigeria.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EEAS, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the Government and Parliament of Nigeria.