Governments in Europe and Africa as well as rights...

Governments in Europe and Africa as well as rights groups and Islamic scholars on welcomed a decision by a Nigerian court to acquit Amina Lawal. "We are obviously pleased with this decision," said French foreign ministry spokeswoman Cecile Pozzo di Borgo. "In concert with our European Union partners, we had at the outset expressed our concern to the Nigerian authorities." In Spain, the Women's Institute, which is linked to the labour ministry, called the acquittal "excellent news. "Finally, justice has been done," the institute said. And in Italy, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Margherita Boniver said she was "overjoyed" and "deeply satisfied" at learning of Lawal's acquittal. In South Africa, the government and the small but burgeoning Muslim community welcomed the acquittal, decided by a split panel of Katsina State's top Islamic lawyers, calling it not just a victory for women's rights but also the acquittal of the religion of Islam. "The South African government has taken note of the clearing of Amina Lawal in a Nigerian Islamic Court and accordingly welcomes the decision," foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said. President Thabo Mbeki had been in "continued interaction with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to ensure that the decision (on Lawal) is not implemented," Mamoepa added. The spokesman for South Africa's ruling African National Congress' Youth League, Khulekani Ntshangase, hailed the aquittal as a victory for women's rights. "Certainly, its a great relief. Not only for the people of South Africa, but also for the people of the world," Ntshangase said. In the east African country of Tanzania, Ichikaeli Maro, the chairwoman of women's rights group the Media Women's Association, said: "The release of Amina is a victory for justice."