Brussels, February 13, 2025 – In a pretty unusual step, the European Parliament has come out with a second urgency resolution calling for the immediate release of Nigerian musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. This guy is facing a death sentence because of Kano State’s blasphemy law, which has raised a lot of eyebrows. The resolution, which got a lot of backing, doesn’t just focus on Sharif-Aminu; it also slams the blasphemy laws in Nigeria, urging the nation to get rid of them to align with international human rights standards.

So, who is Sharif-Aminu? He’s a 22-year-old Sufi Muslim singer who, back in 2020, was sentenced to death by hanging. Why? Allegedly, he made some blasphemous comments about the Prophet Muhammad in a song that he shared on WhatsApp. His case has sparked global concern, mainly because of how harsh the penalty is and the questionable procedures that led to his trial. The European Parliament has made it clear they want Sharif-Aminu released without any conditions, stressing that Nigeria really needs to scrap its blasphemy laws. They claim these laws “systematically endanger religious minorities, violate fundamental freedoms, and fuel sectarian violence.”

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This isn’t the first time the European Parliament has taken action on this case; they first spoke up about it back in April 2023. It’s pretty rare for them to revisit the same issue like this. This renewed resolution really highlights how seriously international bodies are taking the troubles faced by Sharif-Aminu and others who are in similar situations under Nigeria’s blasphemy laws. They also pointed out that these laws go against Nigeria’s own constitution and international human rights commitments, especially those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Right now, Sharif-Aminu’s case is up for consideration in Nigeria’s Supreme Court. Depending on how the court rules, it could change the legal scene in northern Nigeria, where Sharia law, including blasphemy rules, is in play. This case could challenge those tough blasphemy laws that often target religious expressions deemed offensive. Sean Nelson, Legal Counsel for ADF International, which is backing Sharif-Aminu’s defense, said, “No person should be sentenced to death for peaceful religious expression. We appreciate the Members of the European Parliament who are advocating for Yahaya.”

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Bert-Jan Ruissen, a Member of the European Parliament (ECR), shared his worries about blasphemy laws, saying, “No one, whether in Nigeria or anywhere else, should face the death penalty over blasphemy allegations.” He called on countries and international organizations to come together and support Sharif-Aminu and others unjustly imprisoned because of their beliefs.

Miriam Lexmann, a Member of the European Parliament (EPP), pointed out how unusual it is for the parliament to pass a second urgency resolution on the same case, especially considering how serious Sharif-Aminu’s situation is. Despite several international condemnations, including from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Sharif-Aminu has been behind bars for nearly five years, going through endless legal struggles. Lexmann urged Nigerian authorities to comply with international law and free those held on blasphemy charges.

The European Parliament also called for a halt to executions in Nigeria, urging the government to work towards completely abolishing the death penalty. Plus, they want to see better conditions for Sharif-Aminu while he’s in detention, especially since there are reports that his health has been declining. The resolution demands he gets access to adequate food, clothing, medical attention, and a fair and quick appeal process with the Supreme Court.

The push to get rid of blasphemy laws is a big deal for international human rights organizations, and ADF International is leading the charge for the rights of those suffering under these laws. They’ve also backed Nigerian Christian Rhoda Jatau, who was cleared of blasphemy charges in December 2024 after a tough legal fight. She had been jailed for sharing a video criticizing the 2022 mob killing of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, a university student who was killed for her Christian beliefs.

Nigeria has become a perilous place for religious minorities, with estimates suggesting that over 7,000 Christians were killed in 2023 alone due to violence tied to religious beliefs. The European Parliament’s resolution shines a light on these troubling issues, urging Nigerian authorities to tackle the impunity around blasphemy accusations and to hold accountable those responsible for mob violence.

Kola Alapinni, the international human rights lawyer representing Sharif-Aminu, welcomed the European Parliament’s second resolution, calling it “mission accomplished.” He expressed gratitude for the strong international backing, noting how smoothly the resolution passed with little opposition. “It’s just plain wrong that this young man is stuck in prison just for some song.

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