Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), a civil society organisation, has called for the equal application of laws protecting freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that Funke Adeoye, executive director of HBBA, made the call in a statement following a dialogue organised by the group on protecting freedom of religion or belief and moving from discussion to practical action.
The event brought together faith leaders, lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, researchers, government institutions and civil society organisations to examine issues surrounding religious freedom and civic rights in the country.
Adeoye said freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression were closely connected to HBBA’s broader work on criminal justice reform and the protection of civic space.
She said the discussions focused on how citizens interact with the criminal justice system when exercising their rights to hold, practise and express religious or non-religious beliefs.
Tsema Ede, a human rights lawyer, said the constitutional and international foundations protecting freedom of religion or belief could be strengthened through a rights-based criminal justice system and equal citizenship.
Ede also highlighted the role of criminal justice institutions in either protecting or undermining citizens’ rights to hold, change, practise and express their religious or non-religious beliefs.
The organisation said participants also examined the limits of state power and the risks posed by online disinformation and inflammatory narratives ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to HBBA, the dialogue produced recommendations covering legal and policy reforms, documentation and monitoring of violations, access to justice, interfaith engagement and responsible media reporting.
The organisation also highlighted its SLAPPs monitor, which tracks strategic lawsuits against public participation across Nigeria, as well as its legal-aid work supporting people facing unlawful detention and arbitrary arrest.
The group said the recommendations were aimed at strengthening protections for religious freedom and ensuring that citizens can exercise their rights without unequal treatment under the law.
