Violation of Human Rights in Nigeria: Amina Lawal
Full Minutes of the Meetings
SESSION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2003
Violation of Human Rights in Nigeria: The Case of Amina Lawal
Karamanou (PSE). – Mr. President, I am almost at the end of my speech, and the Commissioner has not heard anything I have said and, of course, will not be able to answer the questions I posed. Because my entire speech consists of a series of questions directed at the European leadership, which has done absolutely nothing to prevent the crimes being committed against women in Nigeria. Nigeria is part of the Cotonou Agreement, which includes clauses on respect for human rights and women’s rights, yet the Commission seems indifferent. The political leadership is doing nothing at all, and the entire issue has been left to the patriotism of women’s organizations and the media, that is, the pressure exerted by global public opinion. Of course, this pressure is very strong and has had an impact, but finally, European political leadership must also be mobilized to impose on the Nigerian government the actions it must take to protect women’s rights in Nigeria.
And, Commissioner, I would like you to hear this as well: what exactly is Nigeria? Is it a democratic regime, a secular regime, or a theocratic regime? Because on March 25th, the case of Amina Lawal will be heard in an appeals court of Sharia law. Have we completely lost our minds? We don’t know what is happening in Nigeria! Three years ago, we celebrated the return of democracy to the country, that we had a democratically elected government. And this government is completely incapable of enforcing the Constitution and the laws in the country. And the mullahs are in charge, who condemn women to death by stoning for allegedly having sex outside of marriage.
Therefore, we want the immediate intervention of the Commission and the Council. The leadership must take a stand on these issues. This is what we are asking of you, Commissioner.