Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Amina Lawal - another woman facing death by stoning

By Amnesty International - posted Sunday, 15 September 2002


Back in October 2001, 35-year old Safiya Hussaini was condemned to death, by stoning, for allegedly committing adultery. International outcry led by Amnesty International (the Merton Amnesty Group campaigned for Safiya - see campaign archive) helped save her life; she was acquitted on technical grounds by an appeal court.

Now 30-year old Amina Lawal (right) faces the same death sentence. Amina Lawal was sentenced to death by stoning by a Regional Court in Katsina State, Nigeria for having a child outside marriage. Her sentence was announced on 23 March 2002, three days before the day of Safiya's acquittal.

Amina Lawal's Case - Her Trial and Sentence

When unmarried, Amina became pregnant. Local villagers had her arrested and she was brought before a Regional Court where she was charged with the crime of adultery. Like Safiya, she had no legal representation and there are serious questions about whether the nature of the charges was adequately explained to her.

Advertisement

Under the Katsina regional law, admitting to having a baby amounts to a confession to the crime of adultery. As in the case of Safiya Hussaini, the man identified as Amina's partner - the alleged father of her baby daughter - was released. The court said there was insufficient evidence against him.

For him to be convicted, he must either confess, or 4 other men must testify that they witnessed the adultery.

With the help of a Nigerian women's rights group, Amina has appealed against the sentence. After several adjournments, the appeal was rejected on Monday, August 19. A new appeal at a higher court has been lodged.

Victims of Poverty

Like Safiya, Amina comes from an impoverished background. Both were married in their early teens (12 and 14 respectively) only to be divorced at a later stage and left to raise their children by themselves.

The softly spoken and largely unschooled Lawal told AFP that her main worries were the strain the case was putting on her parents and what would happen to her baby daughter Wasila if she is put to death.

Women's and Human Rights organisations in Nigeria have already highlighted the emerging pattern of people from poor backgrounds - particularly women - being the victims of cruel, inhumane and discriminatory sentences introduced by Regional laws in the states of northern Nigeria.

Advertisement

Amina's Fundamental Human Rights

In Nigeria, laws can be introduced by Regional States which may be contrary to Federal Nigerian Law. Under the Regional Law of Katsina State, a death sentence can be imposed on any man or woman who has sex outside of marriage.

Under Federal Nigerian law, Amina has the right to have her life and personal dignity respected. This right is enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which confirms the sanctity of human life. This right is also recognised by all the international and regional human rights declarations and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

These cases created a political storm in Nigeria. The Nigerian Federal Government recognises that laws which discriminate against women are unacceptable, and that the death penalty is inhumane and inappropriate.

A week before Safiya's acquittal the Federal Minister of Justice wrote to Regional authorities to declare that these penalties are a contravention of the Nigerian constitution.

However, the Nigerian Constitution also protects individual States - such as Katsina State- from interference by the Nigerian Federal Government. Leaders of the Northern states have yet to respond in a positive manner to the Federal government's declaration.

Early hopes that the close alliance between the Federal Government and the Governor of Katsina State would result in a positive outcome for Amina were dashed recently. A spokesperson for the Katsina State authorities, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said that the Governor would not intefere in the appeal process, and predicted that if the appeal was turned down, Amina Lawal would be executed.

"If the appeal court confirms her as guilty, she will be executed," he said.

This will entail burying Amina up to her waist and stoning her until she is dead.

What can YOU do to help

At this critical stage, it is of crucial importance to build on the successful campaign that saved Safiya.

It is vital that the Nigerian Federal Government is given support to fulfil its human rights commitments.

People from all round the world can play their part in encouraging Nigeria to do the right thing: to end inhumane and cruel sentences in its territory and to ensure human rights for all Nigerians.

You can help make a difference by encouraging the Nigerian government to focus on delivering its pledges to its own people and to the international community by writing to both the Nigerian and Australian politicians.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Amnesty International is an NGO which campaigns for human rights world wide, and has also run a campaign for Amina Lawal.

Related Links
Amina Lawal campaign page
Amnesty International
Photo of Amnesty International
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy