Nigeria stoning over blasphemy accusations prompts religious freedom concerns News
ArtisticRealms / Pixabay
Nigeria stoning over blasphemy accusations prompts religious freedom concerns

A man was stoned to death Monday in northwest Nigeria after being accused of blasphemy, raising concerns about escalating threats to religious freedom in the region. Local authorities confirmed the incident with a statement on Sunday, saying:

On 25th June 2023 at about 0955hrs, a distress call was received at about 0920hrs that one Usman Bud, a butcher at Sokoto Abbatoir, allegedly blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW). As a result, he was mobbed and attacked by some Muslims who inflicted serious injuries on him.

The police say they have opened an investigation into the incident. However, locals say that arrests in such cases are rare, asserting that many accused of blasphemy never make it to trial. The people have continued to highlight that the incident was yet another illustration of vigilante justice prevailing over due process. They call for the urgent need for a robust adherence to their protection of freedom of expression.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, swiftly condemned the extrajudicial killing. They called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Additionally, the organizations urge the government to reassess its application of blasphemy laws, ensuring they align with international human rights standards.

The incident has prompted calls for action to address the issue and ensure the protection of religious minorities and for a balance between the preservation of religious sensitivities and the rule of law.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.