The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) appealed to...

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) appealed to the Nigerian government to set aside the ruling of the Sharia Court that sentenced Amina Lawal to death by stoning for having had a baby outside wedlock. "We are calling on the Nigerian government, African Union women Ministers and all champions of human rights to petition President Olusegun Obasanjo to pardon Amina Lawal without delay in line with accepted human rights compliance," said Susan Abro, Chairperson of LSSA's Standing Committee on gender equality. She said Nigeria should take immediate steps to overturn the ruling. "What has happened to the father of the baby? He seems to have got off scot-free, while Amina faces the death penalty. The best interests of the child have been totally negated in this case - just to fulfil an archaic law that does not add value to a culture of human rights," Abro charged. LSSA said the possible stoning to death of Amina was against the promises made by leaders under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), to be open to Peer Review and criticism. "It also sets a terrible precedent for other countries to allow various religious groupings to call for the death or amputation of people accused of transgressions. It will reverse the gains made in the emancipation of women on the continent," Abro warned. LSSA said it supported Vanessa Carreira, the reigning Miss South Africa, in her efforts to ensure that Amina was pardoned. "We are fully behind Carreira in her concerns and our Committee will be available to assist in whatever way we can to ensure that Amina's life is spared," Abro added. Beauty queens from several countries have threatened to boycott a pageant planned in Nigeria over Amina's case.