Humanist Mubarak Bala Freed in Nigeria
Mubarak Bala After four-and-a-half years in prison, Mubarak Bala, president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was released on Tuesday. Because Bala’s legal team believes he is still in danger, he is being housed at a secure location.
Bala was originally arrested in April 2020 because of complaints lodged over posts he made on Facebook which were considered to be insulting to Islam. He was convicted in 2022 on eighteen blasphemy-related counts of “causing a public disturbance” and sentenced to twenty-four years of imprisonment. His case was consistently marked by irregularities, including detention without charges for over a year-and-a-half; denial of access to lawyers, family, and medical aid; and delays in his trial. Under duress, Bala pleaded guilty to the charges.
Humanists International, of which the American Humanist Association (AHA) is a founding member, led the international efforts to free him. In collaboration with Humanists International, the AHA has advocated for Bala’s release since the arrest in 2020, working with the US Congress, US State Department and US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to uplift Bala’s case. As recently as March 2024, led by the AHA, humanists from across the US participated in a letter-writing campaign in support of Bala, designed to raise his spirits in prison.
Andrew Copson, President of Humanists International, stated, “Today, we celebrate Mubarak Bala’s release—a hard-won victory that fills us with immense joy and relief. This triumph would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of Humanists International’s staff, the tireless advocacy of Leo Igwe, the expertise of James Ibor and Bala’s legal team, and the invaluable support of our partner organizations. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of them. While we rejoice in Mubarak’s freedom, we remain committed to fighting for the countless others who remain unjustly imprisoned for their beliefs. Their struggle is our struggle, and we will not relent until they too are free.”
USCIRF issued a statement welcoming Bala’s release, while highlighting ongoing concerns and a call for the US State Department to designate Nigeria as a County of Particular Concern with regard to religious freedom.
Furthering the AHA’s commitment to supporting freedom on religion and belief internationally, the AHA is pleased to invite you to the live, virtual launch of Humanist International’s 2024 Freedom of Thought Report, taking place on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 6pm ET to 7:30pm ET. The Freedom of Thought Report assesses every country in the world on the basis of human rights and the legal status with regard to humanists, atheists, and the non-religious. Tune in and join us, Humanists International, and distinguished special guests virtually by registering for online viewing here.