Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

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 Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

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;

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;

C.whereas other Nigerians remain imprisoned on blasphemy charges;

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;

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, drop all charges against him, guarantee his safety and due process rights, and ensure adequate access to food, clothing and medical treatment; calls on the Supreme Court of Nigeria to ensure an expedited and fair appeals process; calls for the release of all others facing blasphemy allegations;

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;

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;

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

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;

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;

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.