USCIRF Welcomes News of Mubarak Bala’s Release from Prison in Nigeria

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes news of the release from prison of humanist Mubarak Bala. Arrested in 2020 on blasphemy charges, the Kano State Court sentenced Bala to 24 years in prison in 2022 before an appeals court later reduced the sentence to five years. Since his 2020 arrest, USCIRF has called repeatedly on the U.S. government to advocate for Bala’s release and promote religious freedom while safeguarding freedom of expression in Nigeria. USCIRF also recommends the State Department designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for these and other particularly severe restrictions on religious freedom.

“Mubarak Bala’s release corrects a serious miscarriage of justice. Nobody should serve 24 years or any time in prison for a nonviolent social media post,” said USCIRF Commissioner Vicky Hartzler. “While we welcome news of Mr. Bala’s release, the U.S. government must continue to advocate for Nigerians unjustly detained on blasphemy charges and designate Nigeria a CPC on the basis of the State Department’s own reporting.”

“Mr. Bala’s release is an important step toward greater religious freedom in Nigeria,” said USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi. “The U.S. government should build upon this progress by conveying to Nigeria’s government the importance of ensuring religious freedom for all Nigerians including Muslims, Christians, traditional practitioners, and humanists who often choose not to practice a faith. Four Nigerians remain imprisoned on blasphemy charges including Yahaya Sharif–Aminu, Isma’ila Sani Isah, Sheikh Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara, and Abdulazeez Inyass.”

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]