{"id":20229,"date":"2023-10-26T15:17:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T14:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/?p=20229"},"modified":"2023-11-29T09:03:09","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T08:03:09","slug":"blasphemy-laws-violate-human-rights-un-experts-appeal-to-nigerian-government-on-cases-of-christians-deborah-emmanuel-yakubu-lynched-by-a-mob-and-rhoda-jatau-imprisoned-for-condemning-her-ki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/un-appeal-nigeria","title":{"rendered":"Blasphemy laws violate human rights\u2014UN experts appeal to Nigerian government on cases of Christians Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, lynched by a mob, and Rhoda Jatau, imprisoned for condemning her killing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"20229\" class=\"elementor elementor-20229\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28a2b47 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"28a2b47\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2cd0703\" data-id=\"2cd0703\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04dd360 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"04dd360\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>UN experts urge the Nigerian government to address the criminalization of blasphemy, with a focus on Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, killed for expressing her Christian faith by a mob of her classmates, and Rhoda Jatau, currently imprisoned for allegedly sharing a video condemning Deborah\u2019s killing.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>The appeal comes in response to communications from religious freedom advocacy organizations, including ADF International, Christian Solidarity International and the Jubilee Campaign.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51f92be elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51f92be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GENEVA<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (26 October 2023) In response to appeals from ADF International and other religious freedom advocacy organizations, United Nations experts have sent a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/spcommreports.ohchr.org\/TMResultsBase\/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=28273\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">joint allegation letter<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to the Nigerian government, highlighting the danger of blasphemy laws as a violation of international human rights. The letter highlights in detail the case of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, murdered and set on fire by a mob of her classmates in May 2022 for sharing her Christian faith. It further calls for the government\u2019s attention to the case of Rhoda Jatau, Christian mother of five, imprisoned since May 2022 for allegedly sharing a video on WhatsApp condemning Deborah\u2019s killing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Signatories to the letter are: Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Matthew Gillett, Vice-Chair on communications of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The appeal, addressed to the government of Nigeria, states: \u201cBlasphemy laws have repeatedly shown to violate freedom of religion and belief as well as have a stifling effect on open dialogue and public discourse\u201d. In addition, \u201cthey often fuel stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination and incitement to violence\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With regard to the killing of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu and Rhoda Jatau\u2019s imprisonment, the experts note: \u201cBoth cases appear to be related to the legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and of freedom of opinion and expression. Both are members of a religious minority\u201d. The letter details relevant facts surrounding their cases.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The appeal was sent to Nigeria on 4 August 2023 and publicly posted in early October, following a 60-day confidentiality period in which the Nigerian government could respond. At the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> time of the publication of the UN experts\u2019 communication, the Nigerian government had not provided <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a response to the letter. The letter states that the information contained within it may be transmitted to the UN\u2019s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for a determination regarding Rhoda Jatau.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Should the allegations be confirmed, the letter states that Nigeria would fall short of its international human rights obligations, specifically the rights to nondiscrimination, the right to life, the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, liberty and security of person, the right to a fair trial, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, equality before the law, and the rights of minorities, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cBlasphemy laws, in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world, stand in clear violation of international law. ADF International is committed to securing justice for Rhoda Jatau and continues to honor the memory of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, who died for being a peaceful witness to her Christian faith at the hand<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of an angry mob,\u201d stated Giorgio Mazzoli, Director of UN Advocacy for ADF International.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mazzoli added: \u201cRhoda Jatau has been imprisoned and held incommunicado for nearly a year and a half. For allegedly sharing a video on WhatsApp condemning the murder of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, her most basic human rights have been violated. We are hopeful that international advocacy efforts, including this letter from UN experts to the government of Nigeria, will secure the release of Rhoda, and pave the way for the abolition of blasphemy laws in the country\u00bb.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In response to the letter, Joseph Danboyi, ADF International allied lawyer and lead counsel for Rhoda Jatau\u2019s case, said \u201cWe are grateful that the international community is raising their concerns over Rhoda Jatau&#8217;s case. The case against her is unjust, and we hope and pray that she will be released soon. Please continue to speak out on Rhoda&#8217;s behalf and pray for her and all Christians in Nigeria\u201d. Rhoda\u2019s next hearing is on 28 November.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The UN letter comes in response to appeals from ADF International, Christian Solidarity International, and Jubilee Campaign. ADF International is providing legal support for Rhoda Jatau\u2019s case.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Deborah &amp; Rhoda\u2014Punished for their Faith<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the letter, the UN experts highlight how blasphemy laws \u201clegitimise negative and violent social attitudes towards members of religious minorities, and encourage and lead to acts of violence against them by individuals holding extreme religious and political views\u201d. The cases of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu and Rhoda Jatau are but two examples of the widespread violence against religious minorities, including Christians in Northern Nigeria, prevalent in Nigeria today.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In May 2022, Deborah, a Christian university student in Nigeria, was stoned and beaten to death, and her body burned, by a mob of her Muslim classmates in Sokoto State. They accused her of blasphemy for thanking Jesus for helping her pass an exam on social media. The mob attack was recorded and widely circulated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2022\/05\/13\/africa\/female-student-blasphemy-attack-intl\/index.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">online<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. In connection with the attack, two students were arrested and charged with \u201cinciting and causing public disturbance,\u201d but were later released for failure to prosecute.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In response to the brutal attack on Deborah, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscirf.gov\/religious-prisoners-conscience\/forb-victims-database\/rhoda-jatau\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rhoda Jatau<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, also a Christian, allegedly condemned her murder in a WhatsApp post in May 2022. For this, she was targeted by a large mob who sought to kill her, and was arrested. Rhoda\u2019s trial commenced in December 2022, and she repeatedly has been denied bail. From the time of her arrest, Rhoda has been detained incommunicado, only having intermittent access to legal counsel and family members during court appearances.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cRhoda Jatau\u2019s fundamental freedoms have been egregiously violated. No person should be silenced or imprisoned for peacefully sharing their views. Blasphemy laws cultivate a culture of fear and perpetuate violence, and they must be eradicated if Nigeria is to uphold its international human rights obligations,\u201d stated Sean Nelson, Legal Counsel for Global Religious Freedom for ADF International.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nigeria\u2019s Persecution of Christians<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Together with other religious minorities in Nigeria, the persecution of Christians in Nigeria is especially severe. Worldwide, over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heritage.org\/africa\/commentary\/slaughter-nigerian-christians-warrants-international-attention\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5,500 Christians<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> were killed for their faith last year. Of those, 90% were Nigerian.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ADF International is also supporting the legal defence of Nigerian musician <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/nigeria-blasphemy-laws\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Yahaya Sharif-Aminu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a Sufi Muslim who was sentenced to death by hanging for sharing song lyrics that were deemed \u201cblasphemous\u201d on WhatsApp. With the support of ADF International, Yahaya is appealing his case to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the hopes of overturning the death penalty blasphemy laws in Nigeria. Yahaya remains in prison awaiting his appeal. Yahaya has been imprisoned for over three and a half years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ce2373 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0ce2373\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc0e9c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"fc0e9c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ADF-Sean_Nelson_400x400-1.webp\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"fc0e9c7\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjAyNDIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9hZGZpbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLm9yZ1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyM1wvMTFcL0FERi1TZWFuX05lbHNvbl80MDB4NDAwLTEud2VicCIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImZjMGU5YzcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ADF-Sean_Nelson_400x400-1.webp\" data-width=\"400\" data-height=\"400\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62da403 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62da403\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UN experts urge the Nigerian government to address the criminalization of blasphemy, with a focus on Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, killed for expressing her Christian faith by a mob of her classmates, and Rhoda Jatau, currently imprisoned for allegedly sharing a video condemning Deborah\u2019s killing. 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