Back in April, Humanists International wrote an online open letter to Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje regarding the unjust conviction and sentencing of Atheist activist Mubarak Bala. The open letter still welcomes signatures to show support and gather more attention.
Day of shame for #Nigerian authorities!
Mubarak Bala is sentenced to 24 years in prison after being convicted by Kano State High Court. #FreeMubarakBalahttps://t.co/TDX7b8ABMk— Humanists International (@HumanistsInt) April 5, 2022
The first paragraph reads, “We, the undersigned individuals, write to you today to express our deep concern regarding the recent conviction and sentencing of Mubarak Bala, President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, to 24 years in prison. We urge you to quash his conviction and immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Bala.”
They also point out that his speech is protected in the Nigerian constitution.
Bala was initially arrested in April of 2020 over Facebook posts deemed blasphemous by a local law firm.
Through his lawyer, James Ibor, the public knew that he had been denied access to health care, kept in solitary confinement, and had been forced “to worship the Islamic way” since he’s been imprisoned.
He was held for two years before being sentenced. He pleaded guilty to charges against him and was sentenced to 24 years in prison, not counting the time he served behind bars.
If you want to show your support for releasing Mubarak Bala, please click the link below to get to the open letter and sign the petition.
You can also send letters of support to Mubarak’s family through Humanists International and support the hashtag #FreeMubarakBala.
