On the continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
B-10-2025-0122
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Isabel WiselerLima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere, Andrey Kovatchev
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The resolution urges Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, convicted of blasphemy for a song, and to repeal blasphemy laws at federal and state level.¶¶ It recalls that blasphemy laws breach international human rights obligations and the Nigerian Constitution, and calls on Nigeria to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.¶¶
Key points
- Urges Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, convicted of blasphemy for writing and sharing a song.¶
- Commends the acquittal of Rhoda Jatau and release of Mubarak Bala, noting they should not have been arrested.¶
- Recalls that blasphemy laws breach international human rights obligations, particularly the ICCPR, and the Nigerian Constitution's guarantees of religious freedom and expression.¶
- Urges Nigerian authorities to ensure federal, state and Sharia law do not deny Nigerians protection under the national Constitution and international conventions, and to repeal blasphemy laws.¶
- Stresses Nigeria's influence in Africa and the Muslim world, calling this case an opportunity to lead towards abolishing blasphemy laws.¶
- Urges the Supreme Court to prioritize Sharif-Aminu's case and decide in line with Nigeria's international human rights obligations.¶
- Calls on Nigerian authorities to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at abolition of the death penalty.¶