Nigeria 
Europe protests Nigerian death by stoning sentence

afrol News, 21 August - The European Union today released a statement protesting the death sentence by stoning of Amina Lawal in Northern Nigeria. Ms Lawal had been convicted for adultery and is expected to be executed in January 2004. 

The Funtua Upper Shari'a Court in Nigeria's northern Katsina State dismissed the appeal on 19 August lodged by Amina Lawal against her conviction in March 2002 for adultery and sentence of stoning to death. The panel of judges ruled that the original trial had been conducted properly and the verdict had been a correct one under Shari'a law and the penal code. 

The Shari'a judges further ruled that, in line with earlier decision by the lower court, Lawal would not be executed until she had weaned the child born out of wedlock - a period set to end in January 2004.

The European Union today joined forces with the growing international protest movement against the death by stoning sentence. In a statement, the EU says it is "deeply concerned about the decision of the court of appeal." Several other European countries, including Muslim Turkey, Switzerland, Poland and Norway, align themselves with this protest.

The Europeans expected that Ms Lawal would have "all opportunities for appeal at federal level," the statement reads. The countries would also "follow the further proceedings of the case closely." The European Union generally considers that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.

The case of Ms Lawal has gotten very much publicity in Europe, engaging a broad audience normally not politically involved. Even large numbers of teenagers are reported to send protests SMS messages to signal their disgust with the ruling.

The case touches a broad spectre of profound cultural sentiments in the Western world. Most shocking to Europeans is the fact that, in practical terms, only the woman can be prosecuted in an adultery case and the use of stoning as the way of executing the convicted. 

The latter is seen as profoundly "barbarian" and a practice overcome some 2000 years ago - even if this doesn't necessarily conform with historic facts. The Lawal case however certainly has contributed to worsen Africa's image in the West.

Sources: Based on EU, press reports and afrol archives

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