Call for Action: Support Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

The International Association for Religious Freedom urges its members and supporters worldwide to stand in solidarity with Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a 23-year-old Nigerian singer facing the gravest of injustices. Sharif-Aminu has been sentenced to death for sharing a song via WhatsApp, an act deemed blasphemous by Nigerian authorities. This severe punishment raises serious questions about the fairness of his trial and the nature of the charges against him.

Sign Amnesty International’s Petition
Support the Cause

The IARF firmly denounces the use of capital punishment as inhumane and stands against blasphemy laws, particularly those that lead to severe prosecution and punishment. Such laws and their application are a direct violation of human rights and are contrary to the principles of freedom of expression and belief. The case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu is a distressing example of the actions taken by authorities under the guise of blasphemy laws.

The IARF supports Amnesty International’s campaign to secure Yahaya Sharif-Aminu’s release and echoes the call for action. Public pressure has previously led to the release of individuals from death row in Nigeria, demonstrating the power of global solidarity.

We call upon our members and supporters to lend their voices to this cause. The action of the Nigerian authorities in this case is not only a violation of human rights but also an affront to the values of freedom and dignity that the IARF upholds. Together, we hope to see a successful outcome to Amnesty International’s efforts to save Yahaya Sharif-Aminu’s life and restore his freedom.

Your support can make a difference. Stand with us in calling for justice and human dignity.

17th UPR Session – Country Review of Nigeria

Country Review of Nigeria

Nigerian Government Statements (Opening, Closing, Country Report) [upload pdf]

Media Statement: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/Highlights22October2013pm.aspx

First Cycle: Date of consideration: 9 February 2009 – 2.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Second Cycle: Date of consideration: 22 October 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:30p.m.

Draft Working Group Report: First Cycle [upload pdf], Second Cycle [upload pdf]

Statements on Freedom of Religion or Belief by the Delegation of Nigeria:

16. The Delegation stated that the issue of sexual orientation did not enjoy consensus within the United Nations human rights system and all attempts to integrate sexual orientation into existing universally recognized human rights have so far failed. The overwhelming majority of Nigerians objected to same sex relationship based on their deep religious, cultural and moral orientations, against which no government could successfully legislate. There was no policy or practice of witch-hunting people based on their sexual orientation.

70. The Delegation stated that religious freedom was guaranteed in the Constitution; The Delegations stated that Instances of extra-judicial killings brought to the attention of the Government have been well addressed.

Recommendations’ on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria by States:

State	Recommendation	Reference in Report
Togo	Step up its awareness-raising and information activities focussing on religious and customary chiefs to ensure peaceful coexistence between people and religions	134.124
Canada	Protect and promote the right of Nigerians to practice their religious faith or beliefs, including by enhancing the dialogue between different faith communities to address inter-religious tensions – particularly those in the Middle Belt States – and to combat all forms of extremism	134.122
Sierra Leone	Intensify efforts aimed at instituting inter-religious dialogue between elders and religious leaders, including in areas not yet affected by religious unrest, and consider holding a national conference on religious tolerance	134.123
Sudan	Continue to support programs that ensure religious coexistence and working on developing an inter-religious dialogue	134.125
South Sudan	Continue strengthening the role of the Inter-Religious Council in order to deepen the ethical values and fight against the moral corruption so that extreme and radical ideologies are eradicated from the society	134.126
Cote D’Ivoire	Continue actions aimed at peaceful coexistence between different ethnic and religious groups in the country	134.127
Holy See	Continue its efforts in responding to the on-going violence by extremist groups against Christians and other minorities, by working to enforce human rights standards in protecting vulnerable populations, by prosecuting promoters of violence, and by promoting interreligious dialogue	134.128
Mexico	Adopt measures to eliminate the economic, social and cultural barriers which exist between different ethnic and religious groups with the aim of facilitating coexistence between them	134.165
Sweden	Ensure the universality of human rights, safeguarding and protecting human rights of all Nigerians irrespective of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or religious affiliation	138.4

Documentary: ‘Dialogue in Nigeria – Muslims & Christians creating their future’

Jos, Nigeria
October 21-24, 2010

From the project website:

“This hopeful documentary gives voices and faces to 200 courageous Muslims and Christians – diverse young women and men – who unite successfully in Jos, central Nigeria.

“Refusing to be enemies, they are together during days and evenings of the 2010 International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Communication.

“They are tense yet excited to finally cross lines of religion, economics, tribe, and gender to transcend the status quo and discover empathy for each other’s personal life experiences.

“Together they realize that an enemy is one whose story we have not heard, while listening-to-learn and thus dignifying themselves and the ‘others’ “.

Order your DVD (air-mailed without charge); or Watch the film (65 mins)

March 2012 ToM: Religious violence in Nigeria

Some recent coverage of the rise of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria:

Plus:
Written statement submitted by the Jubilee Campaign to the UN Human Rights Council’s Nineteenth session, March 2012 (Agenda item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention): Advocacy of religious hatred in Nigeria (PDF, 4 pages)

Plus:
A grassroots project in Jos to bring Muslims & Christians together