Nigeria: The case of Amina Lawal to be determined on 25 September 2003
Source:
BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights An update from BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights, Lagos, Nigeria regarding the case of Amina Lawal.
Thank you all for your concern for Ms. Amina Lawal.
However, Ms. Lawal and the team of human and women’s rights NGOs and activists in Nigeria who have been working closely with Ms. Lawal on her defence and in her support, are NOT asking for an international petition of this sort at this time. Furthermore, Amnesty International’s International Secretariat in London and in the USA have also stated that they support the Nigerian local defence teams and that they are NOT circulating the message below for an international petition for Ms, Lawal now – contrary to the implication in the message.
The Nigerian Supreme Court has not heard – much less upheld – Ms. Lawal’s conviction and sentence. The result of her appeal to the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal will be heard soon (September 25, 2003). This is the level of court at which several other similar appeals have been won. No appeals have been lost so far. If Ms. Lawal should lose the appeal, we will continue the appeal process to the Federal Sharia Court of Appeal. If she loses the appeal there, then we would appeal to the Supreme Court. A judicial stoning is NOT imminent.
A successful appeal would be more helpful to Ms. Lawal (and others in similar cases) than a pardon. Winning her appeal would vindicate her completely. Being pardoned means accepting that a crime was committed even if the punishment is lifted. It is important to assert that there was no crime!
Our fear is that petitions at this time would be likely to result in a further over-reaction and backlash from the religious right and vigilantes, who might then (as in a previous case) take direct action instead of waiting for the legal process. This is a real and immediate physical as well as psychological threat to Ms. Lawal and to the lawyers, human and women’s rights activists supporting her.
Your support to help the appeal go forward would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Ayesha Imam (Board Member)
Sindi Médar-Gould (Executive Director)
BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights
Click here to read more from BAOBAB for background on the current situation.
NB THE PETITION CALL IMMEDIATELY BELOW IS NOT SANCTIONED BY MS. LAWAL, OR HER DEFENCE AND SUPPORT TEAMS IN NIGERIA, OR BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT IN LONDON OR IN THE USA
Sent: Friday, 19 September 2003 02:03;
Subject: FW: AMINA LAWAL SET TO BE STONED
The Nigerian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for Amina Lawal, condemned for the crime of adultery on August 19th 2002, to be buried up to her neck and stoned to death. Her death was postponed so that she could continue to nurse her baby. Hearing on her Execution is now set for 25 SEPTEMBER 2003.
If you haven't been following this case, you might like to know that Amina's baby is regarded as the 'evidence' of her adultery. Amina's case is being handled by the Spanish branch of Amnesty International, which is attempting to put together enough signatures to make the Nigerian government rescind the death sentence. A similar campaign saved another Nigerian woman, Safiya, condemned in similar circumstances. By March 4th the petition had amassed over 2,600,000 signatures. It will only take you a few seconds to sign Amnesty's online petition.
The Nigerian Supreme Court has not heard – much less upheld – Ms. Lawal’s conviction and sentence. The result of her appeal to the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal will be heard soon (September 25, 2003). This is the level of court at which several other similar appeals have been won. No appeals have been lost so far. If Ms. Lawal should lose the appeal, we will continue the appeal process to the Federal Sharia Court of Appeal. If she loses the appeal there, then we would appeal to the Supreme Court. A judicial stoning is NOT imminent.
A successful appeal would be more helpful to Ms. Lawal (and others in similar cases) than a pardon. Winning her appeal would vindicate her completely. Being pardoned means accepting that a crime was committed even if the punishment is lifted. It is important to assert that there was no crime!
Our fear is that petitions at this time would be likely to result in a further over-reaction and backlash from the religious right and vigilantes, who might then (as in a previous case) take direct action instead of waiting for the legal process. This is a real and immediate physical as well as psychological threat to Ms. Lawal and to the lawyers, human and women’s rights activists supporting her.
Your support to help the appeal go forward would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Ayesha Imam (Board Member)
Sindi Médar-Gould (Executive Director)
BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights
Click here to read more from BAOBAB for background on the current situation.
NB THE PETITION CALL IMMEDIATELY BELOW IS NOT SANCTIONED BY MS. LAWAL, OR HER DEFENCE AND SUPPORT TEAMS IN NIGERIA, OR BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT IN LONDON OR IN THE USA
Sent: Friday, 19 September 2003 02:03;
Subject: FW: AMINA LAWAL SET TO BE STONED
The Nigerian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for Amina Lawal, condemned for the crime of adultery on August 19th 2002, to be buried up to her neck and stoned to death. Her death was postponed so that she could continue to nurse her baby. Hearing on her Execution is now set for 25 SEPTEMBER 2003.
If you haven't been following this case, you might like to know that Amina's baby is regarded as the 'evidence' of her adultery. Amina's case is being handled by the Spanish branch of Amnesty International, which is attempting to put together enough signatures to make the Nigerian government rescind the death sentence. A similar campaign saved another Nigerian woman, Safiya, condemned in similar circumstances. By March 4th the petition had amassed over 2,600,000 signatures. It will only take you a few seconds to sign Amnesty's online petition.
