Case NGA 250302.5 VAW
Follow up to Case NGA 250302.4 VAW
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Torture / Death Penalty

Geneva, 28 August 2003

The International Secretariat of OMCT has received new information
concerning the case of Amina Lawal who was sentenced to death by
stoning by a Sharia court in Katsina State in Nigeria.

New information

According to information received, on 27 August 2003, an Islamic
court of appeal in Katsina State heard arguments with respect to the
appeal of Amina Lawal, who was charged with adultery in March 2002
and sentenced to death by stoning. Ms. Lawal's appeal has been
postponed multiple times since last August when a court upheld the
death sentence (see OMCT appeal 250302.4 VAW). After hearing
arguments, the court announced that it would issue its judgment on
September 25, 2003. The judges also reaffirmed that, if convicted,
Ms. Lawal, who was charged based on the birth of her child after she
was divorced, should not be stoned until she has weaned her baby,
Wasila, in January 2004.

If this court upholds the death sentence against Ms. Lawal, according
to sources, there is still the possibility of appealing to a higher
Islamic court and then to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Brief reminder of the Situation

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against
Torture (OMCT) is deeply concerned by the sentencing to death by
stoning of 31 year-old Amina Lawal.

According to information received from reliable sources, on Friday 22
March 2002, a Sharia court at Bakori in Katsina State sentenced Ms.
Lawal to death after she confessed to having had a child while
divorced. The man named as the father of her baby girl reportedly
denied having sex with her and the charges against him were
discontinued. In those Northern Nigerian states that apply Sharia
law, pregnancy outside of marriage constitutes sufficient evidence to
enable a woman to be convicted of adultery.

OMCT is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity
of Amina Lawal and unreservedly condemns the use of corporal
punishment which clearly violates international human rights
standards that prohibit the use of torture. OMCT would like to recall
that the government of Nigeria is a State Party to international
human rights instruments which prohibit and punish torture including;
the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. In addition, Nigeria is a Party to the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which
prohibits violence and other forms of discrimination against women.

Action requested

Please write to the Nigerian authorities urging them to:

i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Amina
Lawal and her family;

ii. take all necessary measures to secure respect for the rule of law
in Nigeria which includes respect for the prohibition on torture and
cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment, such as the
practice of corporal punishment;

iii. guarantee women their human rights, including their right to be
free from discrimination and their right to be free from torture and
inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment;

iv. ensure in all circumstances the full respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national and international
standards.

Addresses:

· His Exellency Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Republic, The
Presidency, Federal Secretariat, Phase II, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja;
Fax: 234 9 523 21 36
(press office), Email: [email protected]

· Alhaji Sule Lamido, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maputo Street ,
Zone 3 Wuse District, Abuja, Nigeria ; Fax: 234 9 523 02 08.

· Kanu Godwin Agabi, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, New
Federal Secretariat complex Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Federal Capital
Territory, Nigeria; Fax:+
234 9 5235194, 234 9 523 5208/23495230660.

· Alhaji Uman Musa Yar'adua, Governor, Office of the Military
Administrator, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.

· Ambassadeur, Ayewoh, Pius Ikpefuan, Rue Richard Wagner 1, CH-1211,
Genève 2, Suisse, e-mail : [email protected], fax: +4122
734 10 53

The Embassy of Nigeria in your respective countries.

Geneva, 28 August 2003

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this
appeal in your reply.

Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
8 rue du Vieux-Billard
Case postale 21
CH-1211 Geneve 8
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 809 49 39
Fax : 0041 22 809 49 29
E-mail : [email protected]
http://www.omct.org