Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death in 2020. His alleged crime involved sending song lyrics on WhatsApp that were deemed blasphemous towards the prophet Mohammed.
UN experts have urged Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was convicted of blasphemy for writing a song and sharing it on a social messaging service.
Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death in 2020. His alleged crime involved sending song lyrics on WhatsApp that were deemed blasphemous towards the prophet Mohammed.
While Sharif-Aminu’s initial conviction was overturned, he was ordered to a retrial where he would once again face the same death penalty blasphemy law.
“Although his death sentence was quashed by a court of appeal, we remain 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,” the experts said.
They urged the Nigerian Government to abolish the imposition of the death penalty for the crime of blasphemy and ensure it is restricted to the "most serious crimes”, after a fair trial upholding fundamental safeguards, in accordance with the country’s obligations under international human rights law.
“We note that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has been seized of the matter but remain deeply concerned that Mr. Sharif-Aminu has been in prison for too long for exercising his human rights,” the experts said.
They recalled that 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.
“We urge 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,” the experts said.
They requested the government to promptly review Sharif-Aminu’s situation, guarantee the protection of his human rights and ensure his physical and psychological well-being as well as that of anyone seeking to assist him in defending his human rights.
“Should the death sentence be re-confirmed by a court, the Government must issue a stay of execution until Nigeria’s laws comply with its international human rights obligations in matters relating to the death penalty,” they said.
The imposition of the death penalty on charges of blasphemy would amount to an arbitrary deprivation of life under international law.
The experts also recommended that Nigeria establish a moratorium on the death penalty, with a view to completely abolishing it.
The experts have raised Sharif-Aminu’s case with Nigerian authorities since his arrest in 2020.
The UN experts are Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions.
Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms.
Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.
They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.
Similarly in October 2023, SaharaReporters reported that a member of the European Parliament, MEP Miriam Lexmann had called for the release of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.
Lexmann from the European People’s Party (EPP) parliamentary group, who co-hosted an event in the European Parliament for the abolition of blasphemy laws, also advocated for the end of persecution of religious minorities in Nigeria.
“Nobody should be punished because of their faith, let alone be executed for it," he said.
Lexmann added, "It is imperative that we support Yahaya, advocating not only for his release but also to end the persecution of religious minorities. Blasphemy laws are in violation of international law and should be abolished, in Nigeria and elsewhere."