Day of Remembrance Remembering the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief
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Frank Schwabe, Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief
22 August 2022 | On the occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, Frank Schwabe, the Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, made the following statement:
“In many countries of the world people experience discrimination, persecution, hate speech, arbitrary arrest and other acts of violence based on their religion or belief. This constitutes a massive violation of human rights. Believers are experiencing violence and terrorism, especially when they are the minorities of a society. Today we remember them.
One of the victims is Mubarak Bala, President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria. As a Humanist, Bala is calling for the right to freedom of religion or belief in his country. Two years ago, in April 2020, he was arrested and after more than two years of arbitrary incarceration he was given a lengthy prison sentence. But Bala does not belong in prison because of his advocacy for freedom of religion or belief. He must be released from detainment. During my visit to Nigeria I will lobby for the release of Mubarak Bala.”