The African National Congress (ANC) called on South...

The African National Congress (ANC) called on South African president Thabo Mbeki to urge his Nigerian counterpart to prevent the execution of Amina Lawal, who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. The Speaker of the National Assembly Frene Ginwala proposed a resolution in this regard, which was accepted with acclamation, at the ANC's national policy conference. "The ANC condemns all violations of human rights, including the imposition of cruel and inhumane punishment under the guise of traditional or religious laws and practices," it said. The resolution calls on all progressive forces, especially African women, to appeal to Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo to use his presidential prerogative to prevent the execution. "The ANC requests... President Mbeki to make appropriate representations in this regard to his peers, in particular to President Obasanjo."