Brussels, 22/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - In the name of the European Union, the Danish Presidency has made the following declaration: "The Funtua Upper Sharia Court in Katisina 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 Sharia law and the penal code. They further ruled that, in line with an 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 is deeply concerned about the decision of the court of appeal. The European Union expects that Ms Lawal will have all opportunities for appeal at federal level. The European Union will follow the further proceedings of the case closely. The European Union considers that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights."
Council of Europe Secretary General, Walter Schwimmer, pointed out that the pan-European organisation and its 44 Member States are categorically opposed to the death sentence and consider that it has no place in the legislation of a State that respects human rights and the rule of law. In a letter addressed to the Nigerian President in March this year, I expressed our grave concern at the barbaric practice of sentencing people to death by stoning for adultery. I understand that an appeal will be made against this Sharia Court ruling, but, whatever the outcome of that appeal, I again urge the Federal Government to do all in its power to ensure that Amina Lawal's human rights are fully respected and the death sentence not executed", Mr Schwimmer said.