Debates of the European Parliament

SITTING OF THURSDAY, 13 MARCH 2003

Nigeria: case of Amina Lawal

Karamanou (PSE). – (EL) Mr President, I have almost finished my intervention; the Commissioner has not listened to a word I said and is not therefore in a position to answer the questions I have put to him. My intervention took the form a series of questions to the European leadership, which has done absolutely nothing to stop the crimes being committed against women in Nigeria. Nigeria is a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement, which contains clauses about respecting human rights and women’s rights and yet, as far as the Commission is concerned, it is a case of out of sight out of mind. The political leadership has done nothing whatsoever and the entire matter has been left to the loyalty of women’s organisations and the media; in other words, to pressure from global public opinion. This pressure is very strong and it does bring in results but, in the final analysis, the European political leadership also needs to do something and insist that the Nigerian Government do what it should to protect women’s rights in Nigeria.

And I also have this to say to you, Commissioner: in the final analysis, what is Nigeria? A democratic regime, a secular regime or a theocracy? Because on 25 March, Amina Lawal’s case will be heard before the Sharia court of appeal. We are out of our minds with worry. We have no idea what is happening in Nigeria. Three years ago, we were celebrating the return of democracy to Nigeria and a democratically elected government. And yet this government is completely incapable of imposing the constitution and the law on the country. The mullahs rule the country and are sentencing women to death by stoning for allegedly engaging in sex outside marriage.

We want the Commission and the Council to intervene at once. The leadership must take a stand against these issues. That is what we are asking of you, Commissioner.

(Applause)