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Rights Activist Condemns Blasphemy Laws in Africa
Tuesday, 03 May 2011 14:39
(JollofNews) - Leo Igwe, Representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) in Africa
has strongly condemned the existence of blasphemy laws in the penal system of State parties, describing them as “incompatible with basic human and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the African Charter, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other international human rights instruments.”In a statement made on April 30, before the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), the European-based
NGO joined the list of critics and human rights activists in condemning the “criminalization of expressions that are critical of certain religions in Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia, and Sudan.” According to the outspoken IHEU Representative, laws are made to protect and defend the people and to guarantee their human rights and liberties. “But this is not the case with the blasphemy laws. These laws violate the right to freedom of religion or belief, the right to freedom of expression, the right of minorities and ultimately the right to life,” he said.
He seized the opportunity to call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to take up the campaign for the abolition of blasphemy laws when examining the periodic reports of state parties and during official visits.
“IHEU urges the ACHPR to recommend to States parties appropriate legal and human rights reforms for the repeal of these laws, which are inconsistent with the responsibility of states to guarantee the human rights of all its citizens, not merely a favored group,” he concluded.
Written by Abdoulie John
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