ECOWAS Court Declares Kano’s Blasphemy Laws Unconstitutional

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In a landmark judgement, the ECOWAS Court of Justice has ruled that the blasphemy laws enforced by Kano State in northern Nigeria violate international human rights standards. The verdict came after the Expression Now Human Rights Initiative filed a case challenging the legality of these laws, which criminalise speech deemed contemptuous towards the Holy Qur’an or prophets.

Kano, a predominantly Muslim state, enforces Sharia-based laws that punish alleged blasphemers with harsh sentences, including the death penalty. But beyond courtroom judgements, vigilante justice has claimed lives, with some individuals publicly lynched for comments perceived as blasphemous. The ECOWAS Court’s decision shines a spotlight on the tension between religious beliefs and universal human rights, particularly freedom of expression and the right to fair trial.

While the court’s ruling is binding on member states, enforcing it in Nigeria presents a difficult challenge. Blasphemy laws are firmly rooted in religious and cultural traditions in at least 12 northern states. The ruling is expected to spark both legal and societal debates, as conservative groups may resist efforts to amend or abolish such laws.

Nonetheless, the judgement is a victory for human rights advocacy in West Africa. It offers hope that individual freedoms, even in deeply religious societies, can still find protection under international law.