The signatories to the letter comprise at least 45 Nigerian and international organisations, 75 Nigerians and foreigners and 89 Leaders of Chapters of the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON).
A group of individuals and local and international human rights organisations has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing grave concern at the continued detention of Kano-based Islamic singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu over blasphemy allegations.
The signatories to the letter comprise at least 45 Nigerian and international organisations, 75 Nigerians and foreigners and 89 Leaders of Chapters of the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON).
The group demanded the immediate release of Sharif-Aminu and the withdrawal of all charges levelled against him.
Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi musician in Kano State was arrested in March 2020 on charges of blasphemy. He was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad in two WhatsApp audio messages.
SaharaReporters had reported that a Sharia court in Kano State passed a death sentence by hanging on Sharif-Aminu but a high court overturned it, but however, denied the musician bail and ordered his re-trial before another Sharia court judge due to irregularities in the original trial.
The musician approached the appeal court to overturn the order for his retrial for blasphemy. His lawyer argued that he ought to be removed from detention but the appellate court did not rule in his favour.
In the letter to President Buhari, the group said around the time Sharif-Aminu was arrested, a mob burned down his home and that no member of the mob had been prosecuted.
“During his trial, he was not afforded a lawyer. He was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging in August 2020 for violating Section 382(b) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law.
“While a court later overturned the conviction, he was ordered to a retrial, where he would face the same potential death penalty,” the letter read in part.
The group noted that though Sharif-Aminu has appealed the court ruling at the Supreme Court to find Section 382(b) unconstitutional and in violation of international law, including the African Charter, “He has spent over three years in prison for his peaceful and brief remarks that merely expressed his religious beliefs.”
The group said, “Kano State’s blasphemy law violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international law. The Nigerian Constitution protects the freedoms of thought, conscience, religion, and expression, and that includes the ability to peacefully share with others the tenets of one’s beliefs, even if others may strongly disagree with them.
“International law, including the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, similarly protect freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. It also requires that the death penalty be reserved only for the most serious crimes in those States that have not abolished the death penalty. In no sense can the mere posting of peaceful audio messages expressing one’s beliefs amount to a severe crime warranting death, or even any crime at all.
“International observers have condemned the continuing prosecution of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and called for his release. On April 20 of this year, the European Parliament overwhelmingly called on Nigeria to immediately release Sharif-Aminu and found that Nigeria’s blasphemy laws “are in violation of its international human rights commitments, the African Charter and the Nigerian Constitution.”
“Officials from the United Nations have similarly raised concerns over his prosecution and called for his release, as have officials from the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Nigeria is also one of only seven countries in the world—including Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania, and Saudi Arabia—with criminal blasphemy laws for which a person can be sentenced to death.
“Yahaya Sharif-Aminu should never have been arrested and imprisoned in the first instance. Instead, he has had to suffer mob violence and spend years in prison for simply and peacefully sharing his beliefs with others.
“A democracy cannot function when the most basic freedoms are not protected, and as the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria’s example matters. But now, Nigeria and Your Excellency have an opportunity to set a strong example that you will work to protect the rights of your citizens, not disregard them.
“For all of these reasons, we reiterate our call that Nigeria immediately release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu,” the letter added.
The groups include 21Wilberforce, Accountability Lab Nigeria, ADF International, Alliance of Inclusive Muslims, Anglican Persecuted Church Network, Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France), Boat People SOS, Buddhist Solidarity Association, Center for Pluralism, CHAT-PRAY-ACT, Christian Solidarity International, Church of Scientology, National Affairs Office Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) and Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam.
Others include Coptic Solidarity, Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, Culture Advocates Caucus, Elixir Trust Foundation, Ex-Muslims of North America, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA), GAFCON Suffering Church Network, Genocide Watch, Global Christian Relief, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE), Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam and International Christian Concern.
The individuals include Eedris Abdulkareem, Nigerian Rapper, Singer, Activist and Olympics Torchbearer; Jackie Abramian, Founder, Global Cadence; Segun Adefila, Nigerian Actor and Culture Activist, Artistic Director, Crown Troupe of Africa; Folu Agoi, President, Nigerian Centre of PEN International (PEN Nigeria); Toyin Akinosho, Nigerian Writer, Co-Founder, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA); Sola Alamutu, Research & Advocacy Manager, Unchained Vibes Africa and David Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool, KCSG, KCMCO, Member of the House of Lords (UK).