Johannesburg, 10 September 2003
At the conclusion of its 4th National Conference, the ANC Women's League passed a special resolution regarding the plight of Amina Lawal, a 31 year old mother who has been condemned to die by the Sharia courts in Nigeria.
Through the resolution, the ANCWL reaffirms its position that the planned execution of Amina Lawal in itself demonstrates the long and tedious battle that women still face in eradicating all form of women oppression, even in post colonial and democratic political dispensations.
In this regard Conference has decided to condemn all violations of human rights, including the imposition of cruel and inhuman punishment under the guise of traditional and religious practices.
We have thus decided to mobilize the South African public behind growing international calls to spare the life of Lawal. We believe that the plight of this one woman represent a case for the world to look at seriously the situation and the suffering of millions of women around the globe.
The pending death by stoning of Amina Lawal also presents an acid test to structures of the newly established African Union whose foundations are based on ridding our continent of various human injustices and human suffering, including entrenching the rule of law and the respect for human rights. We have already requested the assistance of our President, cde Thabo Mbeki to intervene within the Governing structures of the AU on behalf of Lawal and the millions like her.
This death sentence meted against Amina Lawal also flies at the face of the Constitutional tenant on which the democratic dispensation in Nigeria stands. The Nigerian Constitution recognizes the rights to life and to a fair trial, and it is within this light that we appeal to President Obassanjo to intervene directly to ensure that these rights, that should be enjoyed by all Nigerians, are also afforded, as entitled, to Amina Lawal. We are supportive of the right for all Nigerians and anyone in the world for that matter, to exercise their right to religion, but we also submit that forgiveness is an integral virtue built in any religion and in our relationship with God. For this reason we urge President Obasanjo to use his prerogative in law to pardon Amina Lawal.
This how the ANCWL campaign will unfold:
ROLL OUT PROGRAMME
SAVE AMINA LAWAL CAMPAIGN
1ST PHASE
Petition
Letters to the Churches and the NGOs and Political Parties
Letters to SADC and Women organizations in the Region
Letter to Structures of the ANCWL branch and provincial level (Signature
Campaign)
2ND PHASE
September 11: Prayer Meetings Women's Manyano
Petition
September 14: Mobilisations of Churches
September 15: Pickets
September 18: Culmination - March to the Nigerian High Commission
Marches in Pretoria - The march will start at St Albans after a short
interfaith services. President of the WL will hand over the petition and
memorandum to the Nigerian High Commission.
Cape Town - The march will start at Kaizergracht Darling Street after a short interfaith services. Deputy President of the WL Ms Mavivi Myakayaka-Manzini will hand over the Petition and Momoranda to Parliament and in Durban Secretary General of the WL Ms Bathabile Dlamini will hand over the Petition and Memoranda to the Municipal Office.
3rd PHASE: Towards the hearing of the Appeal
Fasting
Prayer Meetings
Pickets
Vigils and Candle Light
Rallies
September 24: Culminate into a delegation to Nigeria