The European Parliament has reiterated its call for the release of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi musician sentenced to death for blasphemy in Nigeria. Lawmakers demand the repeal of blasphemy laws, emphasizing the need for religious freedom. Advocacy groups express hope for the upcoming Supreme Court challenge aimed at dismantling oppressive legislation affecting religious expression.
The European Parliament has once again called for the release of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a young Sufi musician imprisoned in Nigeria for alleged blasphemy. Lawmakers classified their second resolution on this case as a “rare” occurrence, urging Nigeria to repeal the blasphemy laws that contributed to his detention. Sharif-Aminu faces a death penalty for lyrics deemed blasphemous under local law.
In their latest resolution, members of the European Parliament demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of the musician. The first resolution was passed in April 2023, requesting that Nigerian officials drop all charges against him. There is an emphasis that no individual anywhere should face capital punishment for blasphemy-related allegations, reflecting concerns for religious freedom.
Reflecting on the upcoming Supreme Court hearing for Sharif-Aminu, lawmakers expressed hope that this judicial review may lead to the abolition of Sharia-based laws that can result in executions for offensive religious expressions. They highlighted the dangers posed by blasphemy laws, which threaten religious minorities and contribute to societal violence.
Sean Nelson, a legal counsel for ADF International, praised the European Parliament’s resolution by referring to Nigeria’s blasphemy laws as egregious. He asserted the importance of this case for potential changes to oppressive laws and pledged to continue advocating for Sharif-Aminu and others persecuted for expressing their faith. Nelson emphasized that “no person should be sentenced to death for peaceful religious expression.”
Sufism, observed in the case of Sharif-Aminu, is a minority Islamic faith facing persecution in Nigeria and other Muslim-majority areas. Legal authorities believe this case might lead to significant reform of the blasphemy laws in northern Nigeria, framed as unjust punishment for artistic expression.
The U.K. Parliament has recognized Sharif-Aminu as a prisoner of conscience. The ongoing appeal against his death sentence highlights international concerns, as the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention previously condemned his imprisonment.
Miriam Lexmann, a member of the European Parliament, expressed frustration that Nigeria has not released the musician despite widespread international condemnation. Sharif-Aminu was convicted without legal representation and received a sentence that was initially overturned, only to face retrial and potential death sentence again.
European Parliament members also mentioned the positive outcome of an acquittal for a Christian mother who faced blasphemy charges after a long legal battle, illustrating the complexities of blasphemy laws in Nigeria and the ongoing struggles for religious expression in the region.
The European Parliament’s repeated resolutions reflect a strong stance against blasphemy laws that target religious expression in Nigeria. The case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu symbolizes broader issues of freedom for minority faiths like Sufism. The momentum for his release, coupled with international advocacy, underscores the pressing need for legal reforms to safeguard fundamental freedoms and protect against capital punishment for blasphemy.
Original Source: www.christianpost.com
