Nigerian Humanist leader charged over ‘blasphemous’ Facebook posts

Posted: Thu, 5th Aug 2021

Mubarak Bala

The president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria is facing formal charges over Facebook posts which allegedly contained 'blasphemous' content, more than a year after he was detained over them.

Mubarak Bala, who was arrested in April 2020, faces 10 counts of causing a public disturbance in connection with the posts, according to documents seen by Humanists International – which is supporting him.

He has been charged in Kano state under customary law, which means 'blasphemy' is punishable by up to two years in prison.

There were previously fears that he could be charged under sharia law, which includes the death penalty for blasphemy in Kano.

Humanists International (HI), which is coordinating the campaign to release Mubarak Bala, has said the charges lack "basis".

Bala's legal team has petitioned Nigeria's federal High Court to seek transfer to a neutral territory where he may face the chance of a fair trial. HI has warned that blasphemy is "a highly sensitive issue" in Kano.

Bala has also previously faced death threats in response to his criticisms of Islam.

NSS comment

NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said the charges were "a blatant violation of Mubarak Bala's fundamental right to freedom of expression".

"Blasphemy should never be a crime, and Mubarak Bala should be released, and his safety and rights secured, immediately and unconditionally.

"We again join calls for the Nigerian authorities to release Mubarak Bala, and for governments around the world to unite in demanding his release."

Notes

  • The NSS has contributed to campaigns to release Bala, and recently urged authorities in Nigeria to release him after he had spent a year in detention.
  • In June 2020 the UK government said it would take up Bala's case "on an urgent basis". The NSS and many supporters were among those to urge ministers to do so.
  • Bala was previously arrested, and committed to a psychiatric unit by his Muslim family, over criticism of Islam in 2014.

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Tags: Free speech