The United Nations has condemned the lynching of a Christian student in Nigeria.

Concern over the death of Christian student Deborah Emmanuel in Sokoto State on May 12, 2022, at the hands of Islamist extremists has been voiced by the UN.

The Nigerian government was served with a Letter of Allegation by the UN in August, and this week it was made public after it was unable to reply within the allotted sixty days. In the letter, “utter concern” is expressed regarding her death, the police prosecution’s apparent negligence, and the lack of accountability for those who killed her. It denounces Rhoda Jatau’s arrest and incarceration in Bauchi State after it was reported that she posted a video on WhatsApp denouncing the murder of Emmanuel.

In addition, the letter raises concerns about the criminalization of blasphemy in Nigeria, which runs counter to international human rights law and standards, and the increasing number of violent incidents linked to blasphemy accusations that target Nigeria’s religious minorities with mob attacks and murders. The following individuals have signed the letter: Matthew Gillett, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; and Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) applauded the letter’s claims regarding the carelessness and lack of accountability of the police. They applaud UN Officer Claire Denman for her tough interrogation of the Nigerian government and call on state and federal authorities to give priority to apprehending and prosecuting the people who killed Emmanuel, freeing Mrs. Jatau without conditions, and ending the impunity that those who use religion as a weapon to justify the killing of innocent people currently enjoy.