A controversial death sentence that raised eyebrows around the globe last year has once again taken center stage in Nigeria.
Amina Lawal, a Muslim mother of four was sentenced to be stoned to death by a Shari’ah court, an Islam court, in Katsina State of northern Nigeria in March 2002.
The court found Lawal guilty for adultery. The man, denied of having a sexual relationship with her, was discharged and the baby daughter is now used as evidence against Lawal.
Lawal would be buried up to her neck in sand and while alive but immobile, executioners would throw stones at her head until she loses consciousness and eventually dies.
Lawal filed an appeal and was scheduled for a hearing in May 2002. However, it was rescheduled for August 2003 and is now adjourned to Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003.
Amnesty International is asking everyone who is opposed to this inhuman cruelty to sign a petition in hope to save Lawal and her baby girl’s life. For more information, please visit http://www.amnesty.org.au/women/action-letter09.html, or to sign the petition, please go to http://www.amnesty.org.au/e-card/petition.asp.
