US urges Nigeria to free musician on death row over blasphemy

The United States has urged Nigeria to release Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been on death row since 2020 for alleged blasphemy. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley Barnes, made the plea during a hearing of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee. Barnes also criticized Nigeria for enforcing blasphemy laws, stating that state officials continue to prosecute individuals for perceived insults to Islam, including peaceful speech, which violates Nigeria's obligation to safeguard free speech and religious freedom.

Sharif-Aminu was arrested in March 2020 after sharing song lyrics considered blasphemous, leading to the burning of his family's home by a mob. Despite a Supreme Court overturning of his death sentence and an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of blasphemy laws, Sharif-Aminu remains in detention.

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