Campaign for Amina Lawal

Source: 
Amnesty International
Duration: 
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 20:00
Countries: 
Africa
Western Africa
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Initiative Type: 
Campaigns

On 22 March 2002, Amina Lawal, 30 years old, Muslim, was condemned to death for having a child as a divorced woman by a Sharia court in Bakori in the Katsina State of northern Nigeria.

The man she designated as the father of the child denied ever having sexual relations with her. No legal claims were brought against him. In Amina's case, she did not have a lawyer for her defense. She was condemned by a tribunal constituted of one judge.

Thanks to the mobilization and support of women's and human rights organization in Nigeria and abroad, a lawyer intervened on her behalf.

After several appeals, and the support of international human rights organizations, on 25 September 2003 Amina Lawal had her sentence overturned by the Sharia Court of Appeal of Katsina State.

For more information visit Amnesty International.