Mbeki: Let law run its course

2003-09-18 16:04

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki says the due process of law must be allowed to run its course in the case of Amina Lawal, hinting that Nigeria's Bill of Rights might be enough to save her.

Lawal, 31, has been sentenced, under Nigeria's Sharia law, to death by stoning for having a baby two years after getting divorced. She will be buried up to her neck and then stoned until she dies.

She has appealed her sentence and the Sharia Court of Appeal in Katsina, Nigeria, is expected to announce its verdict next week.

Answering questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Mbeki said if the court upheld the sentence the case would then proceed to the Nigeria's Federal Supreme Court.

"We need to keep a close eye on the matter. One of the matters that will guide the court will be Nigeria's Bill of Rights."

Engaged with Obasanjo

He said both Deputy President Jacob Zuma and himself had engaged with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on the matter.

"I have discussed the matter with him last week. I would like to suggest that we should act in a way that supports President Obasanjo and the rule of law in Nigeria."

Mbeki expressed appreciation for the way in which the African National Congress Women's League had handled the matter but again urged respect for the due process of law.

"We need to make our voices heard but I would like to think that the Federal Supreme Court will deal with the matter in context of the Bill of Rights of Nigeria," he said.

Asked about the part played by the father of Lawal's child, Mbeki said it was a question he did not ask.

"I'm afraid I don't know. It is relevant to this matter and I will find out. In defence of Amina Lawal we might have forgotten that it takes two to make a baby."

On Thursday morning over 200 ANCWL members braved wind and rain to march to Parliament to urge the government to intervene.

In the driving rain and wind the women and a spattering of men walked sombrely to the gates of Parliament to hand over a memorandum and petitions pleading for Lawal's life.

Ask AU to intervene

ANCWL deputy president Mavivi Myakaya-Manzini said Mbeki must ask the leaders of the African Union (AU) to intervene.

"We are asking comrade President Thabo Mbeki to be the one who contacts all the AU leaders to make a special representation to (Nigerian) President Olusegun Obasanjo to use his prerogative to save Amina Lawal."

She said the march was not against Sharia Law.

"We are not here to condemn Sharia law, but in every religion there is forgiveness. It is this forgiveness we appeal to."

"We want the women of Africa to be heard. We cannot build this continent if women are not heard."

Education Minister Kader Asmal - thanking the demonstrators for taking a stand - said everything had to be done to prevent the "murder" of Lawal.

"We are friends with Nigeria and we are not attacking them, but this is murder," he said to applause.

He said it was unfair that women were punished in situations such as Lawal's while the men get off.

The league had held similar marches in Durban and Pretoria, where memorandums where handed over to Nigerian consulates.

In the memorandum, the league appealed to Obasanjo to exercise the presidential prerogative of pardon to save Lawal.

- SAPA