Mubarak Bala Released, Fears for Safety

Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian atheist and former president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, has raised serious concerns about his safety following his release from prison after nearly four years for blasphemy. Arrested in April 2020 for social media posts deemed offensive to Muslims, Bala was sentenced to 24 years after pleading guilty to 18 charges, though an appellate court later reduced the sentence, citing it as excessive. Despite his newfound freedom, Bala expressed a persistent fear for his life, stating, 'The freedom is here but also, there is an underlying threat that I will now have to face.' He revealed that his decision to plead guilty was a protective measure for himself and those around him. Bala's case has attracted international attention, prompting human rights groups to question Nigeria's commitment to freedom of expression amidst its strict blasphemy laws. The situation highlights the dangers faced by individuals in a deeply religious society when they challenge cultural norms.