MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION听on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
11.2.2025听-听()
pursuant to Rule 150 of the Rules of Procedure
Jan鈥慍hristoph Oetjen, Oihane Agirregoitia Mart铆nez, Petras Au拧trevi膷ius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie鈥慉gnes Strack鈥慫immermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group
See also joint motion for a resolution听RC-B10-0101/2025
叠10鈥�0117/2025
Motion for a European 合法博彩网站 resolution on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
()
合法博彩网站,
鈥�听having regard to its previous resolution of 20 April 2023 on the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu,
鈥�听having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,
听
A.听whereas in March 2020, Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was arrested and his family attacked following accusations of blasphemy over a song shared online;
B.听whereas on 10 August 2020, he was sentenced to death by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State without legal representation; whereas on 27 August 2020, the Kano State Governor publicly stated he would sign the execution warrant;
C.听whereas following legal challenges citing procedural violations and constitutional concerns, the Kano State High Court ordered a retrial in January 2021; whereas in August 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld this ruling but affirmed the constitutionality of Sharia blasphemy laws;
D.听whereas Yahaya Sharif-Aminu鈥檚 appeal to the Supreme Court remains pending; whereas in May 2024, UN human rights experts demanded his immediate release, condemning his detention as a violation of fundamental rights;
E.听whereas in November 2024, his legal counsel petitioned Nigeria鈥檚 National Assembly to challenge the constitutionality of his detention and advocate for legislative reform;
F.听whereas similar cases persist, including Deborah Yakubu, a student lynched in 2022, and Mubarak Bala, sentenced to 24 years in prison for blasphemy; whereas Rhoda Jatau was detained for two years before her acquittal in December 2024;
G.听whereas religious freedom and freedom of expression are fundamental rights that must be upheld globally;
听
- Condemns the continued imprisonment of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and calls for his immediate and unconditional release and the dismissal of all charges;
- Welcomes Rhoda Jatau鈥檚 acquittal, but expresses grave concern over Mubarak Bala鈥檚 continued detention, and urges authorities to protect acquitted individuals from reprisals;
- Calls on Nigeria to repeal blasphemy laws, including Section 204 of the Criminal Code, and align national laws with international human rights obligations;
- Urges Nigeria to immediately impose a nationwide moratorium on executions and work towards full abolition of the death penalty for blasphemy and non-violent offenses;
- Denounces impunity surrounding blasphemy accusations and calls for protection against mob violence;听
- Calls on the Nigerian police to ensure prompt investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of mob killings related to blasphemy;
- Stresses Nigeria鈥檚 responsibility to lead by example in abolishing blasphemy laws that systematically endanger religious minorities, violate fundamental freedoms and fuel sectarian violence;
- Reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in advancing human rights and urges diplomatic engagement on blasphemy laws;
- Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Nigerian government, National Assembly, African Union, UN, and EU institutions.
听
听