NIGERIA: AMINA LAWAL SENTENCED TO DEATH BY STONING

Commenting on the decision by the Funtua Sharia Court of Appeal in Nigeria to dismiss Amina Lawal's appeal against the sentence of death by stoning for adultery, a Foreign Office spokesman said today:

'We are deeply concerned that the sentence of stoning remains following the dismissal of Amina Lawal's appeal by the Funtua Sharia Court of Appeal in Katsina State today.

'Along with our EU partners, Britain opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. We regularly remind the Nigerian authorities of our opposition to the use of the death penalty.The means of execution in this case, and the use of it for an act of adultery, run contrary to Nigeria's international human rights obligations notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Nigeria ratified in 1993.

'We note the decision to lodge an appeal against the Sharia Court of Appeal's decision. We remain in close contact with the defence team.

'The EU has expressed its concern to the Nigerian Government about the use of the death penalty and the extreme sentences laid down in the Sharia penal code introduced in 12 northern Nigeria states since 1999.'

Policy on Africa

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