{
  "id": 10438139,
  "title": "Group Calls for Safeguards to Protect Religious Freedom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/group-calls-for-safeguards-to-protect-religious-freedom",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T11:56:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/28/group-calls-for-safeguards-to-protect-religious-freedom/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The advocacy group Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA) has expressed deep concern over the fragility of religious freedom in Nigeria, particularly when it leads to arrest, detention, prosecution, or restrictions on expression. The organization, which focuses on criminal justice reform and civic space, recently convened a three-part regional dialogue in Abuja to explore how justice institutions handle cases where religious identity, belief, or expression intersect with alleged criminal conduct. Titled \"Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria: From Dialogue to Action,\" the discussion gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including lawyers, faith leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, civil society organizations, government institutions, and international partners. Executive Director Oluwafunke Adeoye highlighted the need to examine the situation of individuals who have allegedly faced violations of their religious freedom, revealing that some end up in prisons or become entangled in the criminal justice system with no clear pathway for resolution. Adeoye emphasized that the issue grows more complex when religious identity or practice is linked to criminal allegations, prompting questions about the boundaries of state intervention and the safeguards available to citizens. The concern extends to the digital realm, where online religious expression can swiftly attract official scrutiny. Adeoye questioned the consequences when someone's faith-based online post results in arrest and incarceration. The dialogue also delved into broader concerns such as freedom of expression, religious speech, minority and dissenting beliefs, and the limits of state power. International human rights lawyer Tsema Ede called for Nigeria to transition from a mere tolerance of diverse beliefs to a rights-based constitutional democracy that guarantees equal citizenship. Ede stressed that true constitutional democracy necessitates equal treatment for all citizens regardless of their beliefs and called for the protection of religious freedom alongside other fundamental rights like freedom of expression and equality before the law. A session on \"Freedom of Religion or Belief within Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System and the Limits of State Power\" examined topics such as the criminalization of religious speech, the protection of minority and dissenting beliefs, and the dangers posed by online disinformation ahead of the 2027 elections. The organization also spotlighted its Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) Monitor, which tracks alleged unlawful detentions and arrests, offering legal aid and rapid-response support. The dialogue extended beyond Nigeria's predominant Christian and Muslim communities, recognizing the necessity of addressing the needs of smaller religious groups and individuals with minority or dissenting beliefs.",
  "summary": "James Emejo and Aminat Hassan in Abuja Advocacy group, Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), has warned that freedom of religion or belief remains fragile in Nigeria, particularly when its exercise",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}