Fighting for a woman's life: while it is still day.

• Author: Akinyede, Chidubem

Yet another woman's life the brink of death in the name of Sharia. Hajiya Amina Lawal has been condemned to death by stoning for allegedly committing adultery and conceiving as a result. If a particular religion or sect decides unilaterally to eliminate its members, the State should have the responsibility of ensuring that the religious body or sect conforms to constitutional provisions because it is breaching a right; the human right to life, No cult, sect or religion should be allowed to breach the right to life.

There are various instruments that Nigeria has been signatory to and has ratified, but which are not being taken into consideration. The African Charter on Human and People's rights and the Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) exist. In both of these instruments, as is in other related ones, are fundamental principles, which guarantee respect for human life, human dignity and gender equality, forbidding all forms of discrimination on the basis of gender. We ere thus confronted with certain questions: how strong is Nigeria's commitment to the implementation of these agreements? Does the country lack the ability or competence to protect, defend and enforce human rights and protect its citizenry from violence? Does the constitution allow anybody to promulgate or enforce parallel laws within the jurisdiction of the Nigerian constitution?

I would not congratulate anybody for an alleged indulgence in an adulterous act. My own belief condemns it. However, we have not established Lawal's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. If there was such an act, did she commit adultery by herself ? For a case of adultery to be established, there must be a second party. If she has been found guilty, why has the partner not been found guilty? The only reason why there is so much noise is that there is a child to show for the 'act', I imagine that there are a thousand and one Sharia-compliant females who may be involved in extra marital affairs, who are not being 'brought to book.'

What parameter has been used for Lawal that cannot be used for the father of the child? What moral justification does the Sharia have to condemn Lawal to death without mentioning the man involved?

If the Sharia decides to expel Lawal from the faith or mosque permanently or if her husband decides to divorce her for infidelity, that would be one thing, To snuff life out of another human being requires more serious deliberation. The...