Damien English
Ceist:126 Mr. English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has continued to pursue the issue of the sentencing to death of a woman in Nigeria for alleged adultery. [21133/03]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.
I am pleased to report that the woman in question was successful in her appeal against a sentence under Sharia law of death by stoning for adultery. On 25 September the Sharia Court of Appeal in the northern Nigerian state of Katsina returned with its verdict, which was to reject the charge of adultery against the woman. This outcome is to be welcomed.
This case has attracted enormous international attention due to the inhumane nature of the punishment. Ireland and the EU have played an active part in highlighting public concern about the conviction and in reminding the Nigerian authorities of its obligations under international human rights law. Through the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja and the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin, the Government has expressed its very deep concern at this case and cases like it. As recently as July, President of the Commission Romano Prodi wrote to President Obasanjo about extreme Sharia law punishments in Nigeria. This case has also been monitored on a regular basis by officials from my Department at the EU Africa Working Group in Brussels.