[women-rights] Nigeria: Amina Lawal's appeal case to be heard on 27 August

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International

Nigeria: Amina Lawal's appeal case to be heard on 27 August

AI Index: AFR 44/026/2003 (Public)
News Service No: 189
12 August 2003

After several adjournments, the hearing of Amina Lawal's appeal is due to
take place on 27 August 2003 in her home state of Katsina, northern
Nigeria. Amina Lawal and her lawyers are expected to be present at the
hearing. The judicial process should follow its course if the quorum of
judges is met this time.

Amnesty International continues to receive queries falsely claiming that
Amina Lawal's execution is imminent - before or on 27 August - and
referring to Amnesty International as a source.

No execution of the sentence is due before or on that date.

Amnesty International understands that Amina Lawal's right to legal
representation and her right to appeal are guaranteed at this stage. She
is not in detention and has good legal representation. She is also being
supported by a coalition of Nigerian women's groups and human rights
groups. Amnesty International is in close touch with these organizations.

"Unfortunately, this case has now been adjourned so many times that many
of those who have campaigned for her sentence to be quashed cannot
understand why a woman and her child can be put under so much duress. This
is becoming a clear case of justice delayed is justice denied," Amnesty
International said.

Background

Amina Lawal -- a Muslim woman -- was found guilty by a court in March 2002
after bearing a child outside marriage. Under "Sharia Penal Legislations"
now in force in several northern Nigerian states, this was sufficient for
her to be convicted of the crime of adultery and summoned to appear before
a Sharia tribunal to respond to a "crime" which now carries a punishment
of death by stoning according to new "Sharia penal legislations"
introduced in Nigeria in 1999.

Further information on the Amina Lawal case:
http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maablgzaaZME2bd5AQwb/

All AI documents on Nigeria:
http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maablgzaaZME3bd5AQwb/


****************************************************************
You may repost this message onto other sources provided the main
text is not altered in any way and both the header crediting
Amnesty International and this footer remain intact. Only the
list subscription message may be removed.
****************************************************************


---
The "women-rights" mailing list provides information on issues related
to women's human rights. Archives of "women-rights" messages, as well
as instructions on how to (un)subscribe to the list, can be found at:
http://www.hrea.org/lists/women-rights/markup/maillist.php