Amina Lawal’s stoning sentence must be annulled
The appeal hearing is
postponed until June 3rd 2003
Amina Lawal’s name is familiar to many people in the
world. She is a young woman who is
sentenced to death by stoning, under the Islamic law in Nigeria for having
extra marital relationship. Thousands
of protest letters have been sent to the Nigerian government and meetings and
rallies were organized by human rights and women’s rights organizations in
protest against her stoning sentence.
In March 2003 the court, which was supposed to decide her sentence, was
canceled because the judge didn’t attend the court. Hence the hearing was
postponed until June 3rd. 2003.
Observers in Nigeria believe that the absence of the
judge at the hearing was a move to prevent the adverse effect of such a
sentence internationally and nationally in the upcoming elections in Nigeria.
We must stop Amina lawal’s stoning. This is the verdict of millions of freedom
loving people all around the world who are opposing the brutal and misogynist
Islamic terrorist groups.
The Islamic groups in northern Nigeria who are
supporting the stoning law are trying to strength their power by implementing
stoning and other retaliation laws. The
Nigerian government is practically helping them and as a result putting the
lives of millions of people in danger in north of this country. Islamic terrorism and violence against women
must be confronted with a mass protest all around the world. Sexual relationship between adults is a
private matter of the individuals and no government or group should be allowed
to interfere.
The international Committee against Stoning is continuing its campaign to save Amina Lawal and call upon all freedom loving people to join this campaign by sending protest letters to the presided of Nigeria and demand the annulment of Amina lawal’s sentence and abolishment of stoning law.
A sample letter is provided below. Please send a
copy of your protest letter to us at:
May 27, 2003
Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way,
Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: +234-9-2341010
Email: presidency@nopa.net
Email: civis@europarl.eu.int
I/We have been informed that on June 3, 2003 a
hearing will be held to decide Amina Lawal’s stoning sentence. She has been sentenced to death by stoning
because she became pregnant after her separation from her husband.
I/We express our strong protest against this
medieval treatment of women and demand the annulment of Amina lawal’s
sentence. Stoning a woman to death for
exercising her right to a private life is a shame for humanity and has to be
stopped immediately.
Name
Signature
Cc: European Union