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Amina Lawal Amina Lawal Born in 1973 Born in 1973 in Kurami, in Kurami, Katsina Katsina State, State, Nigeria Nigeria
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Amina Lawal

Jan 07, 2016

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Amina Lawal. Born in 1973 in Kurami, Katsina State, Nigeria. 50% of the population are Muslims 40% are Christians and the last 10% are Animist. She was married when she was either 13 or 14 years of age She has three children through her husband and then a fourth child. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Page 1: Amina Lawal

Amina LawalAmina Lawal

Born in 1973Born in 1973 in Kurami, Katsina in Kurami, Katsina

State, NigeriaState, Nigeria

Page 2: Amina Lawal
Page 3: Amina Lawal

50% of the population are Muslims

40% are Christians

and the last 10% are Animist

Page 4: Amina Lawal
Page 5: Amina Lawal

She was married She was married when she was when she was either 13 or 14 either 13 or 14 years of ageyears of age

She has three She has three children through children through her husband and her husband and then a fourth childthen a fourth child

Page 6: Amina Lawal

March 22, 2002- She was charged with March 22, 2002- She was charged with the crime of adultery under Shar’ia lawthe crime of adultery under Shar’ia law

She was found guilty of bearing a child She was found guilty of bearing a child out of wedlockout of wedlock

The punishment: being stoned to deathThe punishment: being stoned to death Sentence was to be carried out on June Sentence was to be carried out on June

3, 2002 but the sentence was suspended 3, 2002 but the sentence was suspended (so she could care for her child until he (so she could care for her child until he was two years old)was two years old)

Page 7: Amina Lawal

Amina was convicted under a new set of Amina was convicted under a new set of Sharia laws which were introduced to Sharia laws which were introduced to regions of Northern Nigeria starting in regions of Northern Nigeria starting in 19991999

Page 8: Amina Lawal
Page 9: Amina Lawal

Sharia Laws were previously only used Sharia Laws were previously only used for personal and civil laws, not criminal for personal and civil laws, not criminal cases such as Lawal’scases such as Lawal’s

Page 10: Amina Lawal

September 25, 2003- the sentence September 25, 2003- the sentence was overturnedwas overturned

On the grounds that both her On the grounds that both her confession and the evidence were not confession and the evidence were not legally validlegally valid

Amina and her Lawyer

Page 11: Amina Lawal

Gender Roles & Status of Gender Roles & Status of Women Women

(Hausa of Katsina State)(Hausa of Katsina State)

Page 12: Amina Lawal

StatisticsStatistics

Literacy Rate: Females = 59.4%Literacy Rate: Females = 59.4% Males = 74.4%Males = 74.4%

Fertility Rate = 5.8 births/ womanFertility Rate = 5.8 births/ woman Women’s Right to Vote & Stand for Women’s Right to Vote & Stand for

Election = 1958Election = 1958 Women in Government: Seats in Women in Government: Seats in

Parliament occupied by women = 6.4% Parliament occupied by women = 6.4% in lower house & 3.7% in upper housein lower house & 3.7% in upper house

Page 13: Amina Lawal

Women & IslamWomen & Islam ““the relationships of women and Islam are myriad- the relationships of women and Islam are myriad-

these include their roles as participants, as pious and these include their roles as participants, as pious and devoted daughters, wives, and mothers and as devoted daughters, wives, and mothers and as practitioners of the rites and behavior which they practitioners of the rites and behavior which they perceive as incumbent on a Muslim. The perceive as incumbent on a Muslim. The relationships include also the ways in which women relationships include also the ways in which women can apply, insist upon or evade particular religious can apply, insist upon or evade particular religious and/or social constraints or imperatives, depending and/or social constraints or imperatives, depending again on how they or significant others define these again on how they or significant others define these actions or expectations. Islam has often been actions or expectations. Islam has often been described by its followers as being a way of life, a described by its followers as being a way of life, a blueprint for action as well as for belief. How these blueprint for action as well as for belief. How these are viewed or interpreted often varies, depending on are viewed or interpreted often varies, depending on context and culture, and on civic and ritual authority, context and culture, and on civic and ritual authority, including the authority of those tending or intending including the authority of those tending or intending to interpret or pronounce on particular issues or to interpret or pronounce on particular issues or ideas.”ideas.”

Page 14: Amina Lawal

Primary Role as Primary Role as CaregiversCaregivers

As Wives, Mothers, CompanionsAs Wives, Mothers, Companions ChildbearingChildbearing FinancesFinances Division of TasksDivision of Tasks Struggle to fit career aspirationsStruggle to fit career aspirations Feminization of PovertyFeminization of Poverty

Page 15: Amina Lawal

MarriageMarriage

Religious and Societal expectationReligious and Societal expectation Early MarriageEarly Marriage Woman’s ChoiceWoman’s Choice Marriage Costs and GiftsMarriage Costs and Gifts Family Size Family Size DivorceDivorce

Page 16: Amina Lawal

Female SeclusionFemale Seclusion

Elements of Religion, Culture and Elements of Religion, Culture and StatusStatus

Total Seclusion, Partial Seclusion, Total Seclusion, Partial Seclusion, Seclusion of the HeartSeclusion of the Heart

Strictness of SeclusionStrictness of Seclusion Separation of Public and Private Separation of Public and Private

SpheresSpheres Accommodation, Evolution & Accommodation, Evolution &

NegotiationNegotiation

Page 17: Amina Lawal

EducationEducation

Priority to MalesPriority to Males ““Educate women and you educate Educate women and you educate

your nation”your nation” Education as a LuxuryEducation as a Luxury Conferring a Higher StatusConferring a Higher Status Access to wage-labor, economic Access to wage-labor, economic

autonomy, social freedomautonomy, social freedom

Page 18: Amina Lawal

OccupationOccupation

Distinction from Conjugal RolesDistinction from Conjugal Roles Retaining ProfitsRetaining Profits Women in SeclusionWomen in Seclusion Economic Activities- Light Work & Economic Activities- Light Work &

Heavy WorkHeavy Work Production for immediate Production for immediate

consumptionconsumption

Page 19: Amina Lawal

Women’s Status cont’dWomen’s Status cont’d

Inheritance & Property RightsInheritance & Property Rights Violence Against WomenViolence Against Women Subordination, Dependence & Subordination, Dependence &

Inequality?Inequality?

Page 20: Amina Lawal

Constitution & National Constitution & National View on WomenView on Women

Rights & Freedoms guaranteed to allRights & Freedoms guaranteed to all Constitutional ‘double-speak’ and Constitutional ‘double-speak’ and

religious politicsreligious politics National Policy on Women (NWP)National Policy on Women (NWP)

Page 21: Amina Lawal

What do Nigerian What do Nigerian Women think?Women think?

Clash between religious principles and Clash between religious principles and secular developmentsecular development

Natural OrderNatural Order Eager for change, but accepting of Eager for change, but accepting of

conventionconvention ““We Muslim women can walk into the We Muslim women can walk into the

modern world with pride, knowing that the modern world with pride, knowing that the quest for dignity, democracy and human quest for dignity, democracy and human rights, for full participation in the political rights, for full participation in the political and social affairs of our country, stems from and social affairs of our country, stems from no imported western values, but is a true part no imported western values, but is a true part of the Muslim tradition.”of the Muslim tradition.”

Page 22: Amina Lawal

Women and Shari’aWomen and Shari’a

Page 23: Amina Lawal

Gender InequityGender Inequity

““although it is difficult separating although it is difficult separating the Hausa and Islam patriarchal the Hausa and Islam patriarchal structure, the reintroduction or structure, the reintroduction or politicization of Shari’a in Northern politicization of Shari’a in Northern Nigeria has contributed in Nigeria has contributed in reinforcing traditional, religious and reinforcing traditional, religious and cultural prejudices against women.” cultural prejudices against women.” – quote from Nigerian Activist– quote from Nigerian Activist

Page 24: Amina Lawal

Gender Inequity cont’d Gender Inequity cont’d (Claims of Women’s Rights (Claims of Women’s Rights

Activists) Activists) Absence of Women in JudiciaryAbsence of Women in Judiciary Weight of TestimonyWeight of Testimony Standards of EvidenceStandards of Evidence How they pertain to LawalHow they pertain to Lawal Discrimination in day-to-day lifeDiscrimination in day-to-day life

Page 25: Amina Lawal

Men & Shari’aMen & Shari’a

Still subject to the law- fines, Still subject to the law- fines, imprisonment, floggings, imprisonment, floggings, amputation, stoningamputation, stoning

No victimization by mediaNo victimization by media Equally affected by many other Equally affected by many other

injustices cited by critics of Shari’ainjustices cited by critics of Shari’a

Page 26: Amina Lawal

Fundamentalism or Fundamentalism or Misapplication?Misapplication?

Gender oppression as one element of Gender oppression as one element of biasbias

Zakkat & responsibility toward the Zakkat & responsibility toward the poorpoor

Maliki school of thought- selectivity Maliki school of thought- selectivity & the ‘Sleeping Embryo” & the ‘Sleeping Embryo”

Faulty Interpretation that causes Faulty Interpretation that causes discriminationdiscrimination

Page 27: Amina Lawal

Shari’a, Stoning & Shari’a, Stoning & Human RightsHuman Rights

Page 28: Amina Lawal

Constitution & Freedom of Constitution & Freedom of ReligionReligion

Differences in Interpretation Differences in Interpretation between advocates and critics of between advocates and critics of Shari’aShari’a

Separation of Religion and PoliticsSeparation of Religion and Politics Impact on Non-MuslimsImpact on Non-Muslims Complaints of Non-MuslimsComplaints of Non-Muslims

Page 29: Amina Lawal

Nigerian Application & Nigerian Application & Inconsistencies with Classic Inconsistencies with Classic

Shari’aShari’a Politicization of Shari’aPoliticization of Shari’a Disregarding the Fundamental Disregarding the Fundamental

Principles- compassion, Principles- compassion, responsibility, forgivenessresponsibility, forgiveness

Hurried implementationHurried implementation Public knowledge of rights and Public knowledge of rights and

procedureprocedure

Page 30: Amina Lawal

Legal System & Legal System & Human Rights AbusesHuman Rights Abuses

Right to Fair Trial & Legal Counsel – Right to Fair Trial & Legal Counsel – specifically in Lawal’s casespecifically in Lawal’s case

False claim that Shari’a courts do to False claim that Shari’a courts do to recognize lawyersrecognize lawyers

Time of Lawal’s offense & trialTime of Lawal’s offense & trial Presumption of Innocence Presumption of Innocence ConfessionConfession Use of Torture & Pressure by police and Use of Torture & Pressure by police and

officialsofficials Inadequately trained judgesInadequately trained judges

Page 31: Amina Lawal

Constitution & Human Constitution & Human DignityDignity

Section 34: (1) Every individual is Section 34: (1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly:his person, and accordingly: no person shall be subjected to torture no person shall be subjected to torture

or to inhuman or degrading treatmentor to inhuman or degrading treatment no person shall be held in slavery or no person shall be held in slavery or

servitude; andservitude; and no person shall be required to perform no person shall be required to perform

forced or compulsory laborforced or compulsory labor

Page 32: Amina Lawal

Regional & International Regional & International AgreementsAgreements

Universal Declaration of Human Universal Declaration of Human RightsRights

African Charter of Human and African Charter of Human and People’s RightsPeople’s Rights

International Covenant on Civil and International Covenant on Civil and Political RightsPolitical Rights

Page 33: Amina Lawal

Debates over Definitions of Debates over Definitions of Dignity & TortureDignity & Torture

Semantics & Phraseology Semantics & Phraseology What constitutes a violation of What constitutes a violation of

dignity, torture?dignity, torture? Rights of CriminalsRights of Criminals Constitution permits death penaltyConstitution permits death penalty Appropriateness of Punishment Appropriateness of Punishment

(Human Rights Activists)(Human Rights Activists)

Page 34: Amina Lawal

Main Concerns of Nigerian Main Concerns of Nigerian Activists in Lawal caseActivists in Lawal case

Impregnated before Shari’a took Impregnated before Shari’a took effecteffect

Denied legal counselDenied legal counsel Offense not explainedOffense not explained ConfessionConfession Little focus on Gender OppressionLittle focus on Gender Oppression

Page 35: Amina Lawal

Local Activism & Local Activism & Women’s Rights GroupsWomen’s Rights Groups

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Effectiveness of Local Effectiveness of Local Action Action

International Community- International Community- reproducing negative, misinformed reproducing negative, misinformed stereotypesstereotypes

Capacity of local organizations & Capacity of local organizations & strengthening local resistancestrengthening local resistance

Use of Appeals CourtUse of Appeals Court

Page 37: Amina Lawal

Women’s OrganizationsWomen’s Organizations

BAOBAB for Women’s Human BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights: aid to Lawal, objectives & Rights: aid to Lawal, objectives & strategy with Lawal’s casestrategy with Lawal’s case

Women Living Under Muslim Laws Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML)(WLUML)

Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL)Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL)

Page 38: Amina Lawal

Strategies of Women’s Strategies of Women’s GroupsGroups

Challenges to the Constitution, other Challenges to the Constitution, other documents & pressuring govt. to documents & pressuring govt. to adhere to themadhere to them

Using the Legal System & Appeal Using the Legal System & Appeal CourtsCourts

Revisiting tradition and social Revisiting tradition and social relationsrelations

Women’s Empowerment Women’s Empowerment

Page 39: Amina Lawal

Sharia Law and the Nigerian Constitution Both strong supporters and opponents of the

Sharia reforms have often invoked the authority of the constitution to back their differing positions

Sharia first proclaimed in Zamfara State on October 25, 1999; 11 Northern States followed

Page 40: Amina Lawal

Legal/Constitutional Background Before Sharia “personal” or customary

Islamic Law was in place, limited to matters such as marriage and succession

Colonial legacy of British important to look at Imposed British common law which replaced

customary laws of Nigerians As a form of accommodation, British allowed

some customary law traditions to continue

Page 41: Amina Lawal

Legal/Constitutional Background Used the British Criminal Code for criminal conduct;

North especially resisted this Compromised with “Penal Code” for Northern Nigeria,

which took Islamic principles into account – still not fully accepted

Governors and their supporters wanted to restore Sharia to its “pristine purity, shorn of baggage”

Should local issues surrender to the guidance of a constitutional democracy? Yes is the consensus, but why hasn’t the government tried to determine whether the implementation of Sharia is constitutional?

Page 42: Amina Lawal

Constitutionality and Federal Structure Section 1 of the constitution: it “shall have a

binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

If a law is not consistent, the constitution “shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”

under federalism, federal and state governments share the power to make laws relating to offences and crimes

Page 43: Amina Lawal

Constitutionality and Federal Structure Constitution says that states can have criminal jurisdiction if under

written law; argue that states just need an Islamic Code of Crimes under legislative powers in order to have this power

Nigeria as a federal state is responsible to make sure the laws of the various levels do not conflict with the constitution

Issue: apostasy - Sharia law sentences death but constitution states that citizens have “freedom to change religious beliefs”

Evidence is also seen as controversial under Sharia Law Police Services – centralized under Federal control and under

constitution, no state can legislate for the establishment of their own state police branch

Therefore, we’ve seen the emergence of vigilante groups known was the “Hisba” or Sharia police and the issue of overzealousness and abuse of power has arisen

Page 44: Amina Lawal

Constitutionality and State Religion Section 10 of the constitution: “States shall not adopt

any religion as State Religion” Supporters of Sharia argue that Section 10 does not

use the term ‘secular’, so religious law can be implemented and it does not qualify as state religion

Argue that Sharia is simply “legislative borrowings from a religious code”

Others believe the wording of Section 10 means the same thing as “secular” and some think that the states have adopted a state religion in violation of the Section since they have established Sharia courts and government functions in conjunction with the principles of Islam

Ministry of Religious Affairs and a Preacher’s Council allegedly mobilize support for Islam

Page 45: Amina Lawal

Constitutionality and State Religion Many argue that using Sharia for civil and personal

law is just in a secular society while criminal law is a not, since it entails extensive state involvement

Section 38 of the Constitution: rights of all citizens to manifest and pursue religious beliefs in worship, practice, and observance to bolster their point of view

Both sides use it to support their view on Sharia Discrimination towards non-Muslims is a major

concern, as some say that Sharia is being used as a vehicle to promote Islam

Page 46: Amina Lawal

Constitutionality and Judicial Structure States can establish courts that subordinate

jurisdiction to a federally based High Court Section 275 of constitution outlines functions of Sharia

court of Appeal but only in terms of Islamic personal law; criminal/penal law not mentioned

Sharia Court of first instance in a state would have criminal jurisdiction, while constitutionally, a Sharia Court of Appeal only competent to decide civil appeals

Constitutionally, nowhere established for claimants to go from here, whereas from State High Courts they can go up to the Court of Appeal federally

Offences of Penal Code go to the High Courts, so under Sharia, High Courts lose jurisdiction while Sharia courts gain

Is this legitimate? And should Sharia courts be given allowed criminal jurisdiction under the status quo?

Page 47: Amina Lawal

Sharia and Constitutional Rights some afraid that Sharia states will be setting up

Muslim-only Islamic schools, make special transportation arrangements and provide public and social utilities that would segregate men and women – contrary to constitution which outlaws discrimination

also afraid that non-Muslims might be told to leave by the law

right to a fair trial questioned; Lawal’s case, for example, didn’t follow these principles – guilt emphasized before trial began; not given full protection of law

Page 48: Amina Lawal

Sharia and Constitutional Rights Adultery – misdemeanour under Penal Code;

Penal Code also allows flogging and death penalty for those who commit homicide

Other penalties like amputation, stoning, lashes are said to violate constitutional and human rights of human dignity and right not to be subjected to torture/inhuman and degrading treatment

Discrimination of Muslims since facing harsher penalties than non-Muslims

Page 49: Amina Lawal

Obsanjo’s Government and Sharia Obsanjo: “Sharia is not a new thing and its not a thing to be

afraid of” – federal gov’t will not dispute rights of sates to use it Government has provided contradictory statements on Sharia Has tried to deal with it through compromise, encouraging states

to modify sentence but hasn’t been pressuring states to comply On Lawal: “under no circumstances will such punishment be

carried out in Nigeria, because we have a system of appeal in our courts that will carry this to the highest court of appeal in the land...” “we are practicing a federal form, a federal system of government in this land and we deliberately went for a federal system because of our diversity…anybody who wants to try to impose a unitary form of gov’t in this country will destroy (it) overnight.”

critics worry about low-profile or poor accused criminals that do not have the resources to make a federal appeal

Page 50: Amina Lawal

Obsanjo’s Government and Sharia

Federal government has both domestic and international obligations that could come under scrutiny and reprimand as Sharia is seen by many to violate these commitments

some argue that Sharia should be subject to constitutional review

Obsanjo is Christian and can easily be accused of discriminating if he takes this action; government is not inclined to test validity but only they have the power to do it

Progress on the issue will be challenging without a genuine commitment to preserve national unity and willingness to compromise

Kano state wants to change constitution so Islamic Law is supreme over constitutional provisions

Sharia proponents argue that law of God claims constitutional superiority and that they can’t accept constitutional supremacy

Page 51: Amina Lawal

What will the future hold? Debate is reignited whenever courts sentence adulterers to

death by stoning or order amputations – will remain a contentious issue

“Sharia can only exist fully in an Islamic state”; “future is not hopeful”

Can Sharia really be viable in a federal system? Would a loose confederation be better?

Contradiction between liberal democracy and deep pluralism entrenched in Nigerian political culture is yet to be settled

How religion and secular law should share space is yet unchartered territory

Seems to be stable for now, as states recognize that full realization is not possible, but what if courts find that Sharia is infringing constitutional rights?

Page 52: Amina Lawal

Video Discussion- Amina’s Portrayal

The way Amina was portrayed as an uneducated, almost primitive, defenseless woman that needed to be saved from her Sharia punishment. Is this a highly westernized view? In regard to the discussion between Ayesha Imam and Akbar Ahmed- Imam observed the international “imposition” as detrimental to Amina’s case while Ahmed claimed that international attention was necessary to “save her.” Is international pressure a detriment here as Imam claims?

Page 53: Amina Lawal

Capital PunishmentCapital Punishment

Page 54: Amina Lawal

Overview of Capital PunishmentOverview of Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment around the WorldCapital Punishment around the World

Role of Religion in Capital Role of Religion in Capital PunishmentPunishment

Arguments ForArguments For

Arguments AgainstArguments Against

Page 55: Amina Lawal

Capital Punishment around the Capital Punishment around the WorldWorld

Page 56: Amina Lawal

Capital Punishment around the Capital Punishment around the WorldWorld

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, United StatesJapan, South Korea, Taiwan, United States—fully democratic and developed—fully democratic and developed

China has largest share (90%), Singapore China has largest share (90%), Singapore has most per capita (70 hangings for 1 has most per capita (70 hangings for 1 million peoplemillion people

MethodsMethods Hanging, Electrocution, Firing Squad, Lethal Hanging, Electrocution, Firing Squad, Lethal

Injection, Gas Chamber, StoningInjection, Gas Chamber, Stoning Should there be different methods? Are some Should there be different methods? Are some

better then others?better then others?

Page 57: Amina Lawal

Religion and Capital PunishmentReligion and Capital Punishment

JudaismJudaism Approved in scripture, but Talmudic decisions Approved in scripture, but Talmudic decisions

make circumstances effectively impossiblemake circumstances effectively impossible ChristianityChristianity

Varies, both proponents and opponents claim Varies, both proponents and opponents claim Bible supports their sideBible supports their side

Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist—Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist—abolishedabolished

Protestant, Baptists—Support CP as deterrentProtestant, Baptists—Support CP as deterrent

Page 58: Amina Lawal

Religion and Capital PunishmentReligion and Capital Punishment

IslamIslam Interpretations of Qur’an vary, permissible but ideas of Interpretations of Qur’an vary, permissible but ideas of

appropriateness differ geographicallyappropriateness differ geographically Difficult to abolish because “to forbid what is not Difficult to abolish because “to forbid what is not

forbidden is wrong”—jurisprudenceforbidden is wrong”—jurisprudence Shari’a as code for living—different then simple legal Shari’a as code for living—different then simple legal

systemsystem Adultery as Hadd offenseAdultery as Hadd offense Stoning as symbolicStoning as symbolic

HinduismHinduism No clear position in scripture, death penalty appears in No clear position in scripture, death penalty appears in

ancient storiesancient stories Lots of examples of reformed murders in Hindu literatureLots of examples of reformed murders in Hindu literature

Page 59: Amina Lawal

Religion and Capital PunishmentReligion and Capital Punishment

Does the link exist?Does the link exist? Strong correlation between religious Strong correlation between religious

conservatism and support of Capital conservatism and support of Capital Punishment in USPunishment in US

However, on global stage, no clear However, on global stage, no clear evidence that Capital Punishment must evidence that Capital Punishment must be linked with fundamental religious be linked with fundamental religious movementsmovements

Page 60: Amina Lawal

Supporting Capital PunishmentSupporting Capital Punishment

Justice on behalf of victimsJustice on behalf of victims

DeterrenceDeterrence

Satisfaction and closure for victims Satisfaction and closure for victims familiesfamilies

Save lives by preventing repeat Save lives by preventing repeat offensesoffenses

Page 61: Amina Lawal

Against Capital PunishmentAgainst Capital Punishment

Doesn’t work as deterrentDoesn’t work as deterrent

Extreme bias against minorities and Extreme bias against minorities and poorpoor

Right to life and right against cruel Right to life and right against cruel and inhumane tortureand inhumane torture

Revenge, not justiceRevenge, not justice

Page 62: Amina Lawal

“Saving” Amina Lawal

Lawal’s trial was widely reported in international media, and the subsequent role that the international community played in her case is an important consideration

Consider the debate between Ayesha Imam and Akbar Amhed: opposing perspectives on the effects of external involvement in cases like Lawal’s

The human rights project and international media coverage adopted Amina as a symbol of human rights issues stemming from Nigeria’s application of Shari’a Law

Despite the intentions behind international efforts to “save” Amina Lawal’s life, the widespread efforts of the worldwide community were, and continue to be, criticized as being more detrimental than beneficial

Page 63: Amina Lawal

Critiques

Colonial rhetoric Women as symbols of colonialism Oversimplifying and sensationalizing the

issues Inadvertently fostering defensive reactions

against foreign impositions, and entrenching polarizations within Nigeria

Long term solutions? Amina: objectified

Page 64: Amina Lawal

Her life is saved….

The reversal of her sentence by a court of appeal has been hailed as a victory for justice by many groups

A victory for Nigerian legal process? A victory for the human rights project?

Page 65: Amina Lawal

Where is Amina Now?