Hope Behind Bars Africa Urges Protection of Religious Freedom

Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), an advocacy group focused on criminal justice reform, has expressed concerns regarding the fragility of religious freedom in Nigeria, especially when it leads to arrests and legal actions. During a three-part regional dialogue in Abuja, themed “Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria: From Dialogue to Action,” the organization examined how justice institutions respond to cases where religious identity or expression is tied to alleged criminal conduct.

Executive Director Oluwafunke Adeoye highlighted the challenges faced by individuals navigating the criminal justice system after experiencing violations of their religious freedom. The dialogue included various stakeholders, such as lawyers, faith leaders, and human rights defenders, and emphasized the need for a rights-based approach to ensure equal citizenship for all beliefs.

International human rights lawyer Tsema Ede called for a shift from mere tolerance of different beliefs to a framework that guarantees belonging and equal rights for all citizens.