Canadian Humanists are backing calls from Humanists International to release Mubarak Bala from a Nigerian jail.
Bala, the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested by Nigerian police recently after a complaint that insulted the prophet Mohammed in a social media post.
Bala, a former Muslim, was arrested without formal charges and his lawyer has not been granted access to his client.
Scott Jacobsen, international rights spokesman for Humanist Canada said: “The right to be charged within 24 hours of arrest and the right to legal counsel are enshrined in Nigerian law.
“In addition, we would request: if Mr Bala is charged with a crime, then the charge is, or those charges are, heard in a secular as opposed to an Islamic court, as he is a humanist, atheist, and former Muslim.”
Humanist Canada Vice-President, Lloyd Robertson, said Canadians can support Mr Bala’s defence campaign organized by Humanists International via the link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/free-mubarak-bala
He disclosed that international support is important to protect minorities.
