Sentencing of Baha’i Leader in Qatar – A Systematic Pattern

Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns last week’s five-year sentence by a Qatari court falsely charging Baha’i leader Remy Rowhani for promoting a belief that “raises doubts about the fundamental principles and teachings of the Islamic religion.” On July 31, a group of United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs raised concerns over the “broader and disturbing pattern of disparate treatment of the Baha’i minority in Qatar.”

“Sentencing Mr. Rowhani for blasphemy is an alarming restriction on his freedom of religion or belief,” said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. “Proponents of blasphemy laws argue that such legislation is necessary to protect religious freedom. In practice, as shown in Mr. Rowhani’s case, blasphemy laws have empowered the Qatari government to use them to punish those who express minority viewpoints.”

Despite Qatari authorities’ efforts to highlight its religious tolerance promotion, Qatar’s ongoing restrictions on religious minorities, in particular the Baha’is and Bohra Shi’a Muslims, have become increasingly systematic. Restrictions on Baha’is include non-renewal of residency visas, the destruction of a Baha’i cemetery, job discrimination, and family separation. Members of the Dawoodi Bohra Shi’a Muslim minority have been subject to arbitrary arrests, interrogation, and increased surveillance for their religious identity. Qatar’s national curriculum promotes religiously intolerant ideas about Christians, Jews, Shi’a Muslims, and Nonbelievers. Article 256 of the Qatari penal code imposes a prison sentence of up to seven years for insulting religion. The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief noted that the “international normative standard” for blasphemy laws is clear: “states may not impose punishment for insults, criticism or giving offence to religious ideas, icons, or places, nor can laws be used to protect the feelings of religious communities.” 

“Tolerating Qatar’s restrictions on religious freedom undermines U.S. leadership on a foundational American value,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “Advancing religious freedom for all of Qatar’s population and protecting all religious communities must be raised by the U.S. government during every bilateral engagement with  Qatari government officials.”

In May, USCIRF raised similar concerns over religious freedom in Qatar.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency 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].

The Nigerian federal government enforces blasphemy laws that include a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment for acts “persons consider as a public insult on their religion.” Twelve Nigerian state governments also enforce their own more stringent blasphemy laws to prosecute and imprison individuals perceived to have insulted religion, including Christians, Muslims, and humanists. There are now four Nigerians incarcerated and convicted of blasphemy, including two religious leaders. In 2021, police arrested humanist Mubarak Bala for “insulting the Prophet,” and in 2022, a court sentenced him to decades in prison. Following an international outcry, an appeals court reduced his sentence to five years and released him in 2024. Mr. Bala, formerly the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, is living abroad while his sentence in under appeal.  In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. 

On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi speaks with humanist Mubarak Bala to discuss his experience of prosecution and imprisonment under Nigeria’s blasphemy laws and how these laws impact religious freedom and belief in the country. 

Read USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report Chapter on Nigeria and USCIRF’s most recent Nigeria Country Update.