Human Rights Clash: Amnesty Intl Challenges Kano Over Blasphemy Sentences

Amnesty International has praised the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for declaring the blasphemy provisions in Kano State’s Penal and Sharia Codes inconsistent with regional and international human rights standards.

According to reports, the ECOWAS Court ruled on Wednesday that the blasphemy-related laws in Kano violate international human rights obligations. In a statement released on Saturday, Amnesty International emphasized that these laws have repeatedly resulted in severe rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, mob attacks, and death sentences.

“We commend the ECOWAS Court for this landmark decision,” the organization stated. “The enforcement of Kano’s blasphemy law has led to widespread human rights abuses and encouraged mob violence, all while undermining freedom of expression.”

Amnesty noted that certain sections of the law are vague and overly broad, falling short of the legal clarity required under human rights principles. “These ambiguities have enabled mobs to carry out violent acts in reaction to perceived blasphemy,” the group said.

Amnesty International further urged Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to begin immediate implementation of the court’s ruling.

“We call on Governor Abba Yusuf to act swiftly in aligning Kano State’s laws with Nigeria’s constitution and its international human rights commitments,” the statement concluded.