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Sudan: Protest Death Sentence Against 18-Year-Old Woman For Adultery

02/17/2002

SUMMARY

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) forwards the following action from the Women Living Under Muslim Laws Solidarity Network (WLUML), calling for urgent letters to authorities of the Republic of Sudan to demand the prompt release of Abok Alfa Akok, an 18 year-old woman sentenced on December 8, 2001 to execution by stoning for the crime of adultery. This sentence has been overturned by an appellate court and the case returned to the trial court for new sentencing. However, Abok Alfa Akok remains in prison despite her January 3, 2002 appeal, and the possibility persists that the sentence will be reconfirmed, or another unjust penalty imposed.

Sudanese authorities have in the past promised that Christian populations should not be subject to shari'ah law. Abok Alfa Akok is a Christian. Moreover, IGLHRC is gravely concerned by the interference with intimate life entailed in the criminalization of consensual sexual behavior, and by the lack of due process evident throughout this case. Article 146 of Sudan's penal code, which imposes the death penalty for adultery by married people in accordance with shari'ah law, contravenes binding international covenants which oppose the death penalty and mandate respect for private life.

FORWARDED ACTION

Dear Friends:

Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) is concerned over the physical and psychological integrity of Abok alfau Akok, who was sentenced to death by stoning by a criminal court in Sudan.

WLUML joins the efforts of Sudanese Victims of Torture Group, and requests your urgent intervention in this case. Please find below a call for action.

In solidarity,

Women Living Under Muslim Laws - international solidarity network

A Call for Action

ACTION

Please write to the Sudanese authorities urging them to:

  1. Provide legal representation for Abok Alfa Akok and to guarantee a fair and prompt appeal trial.
  2. Permanently abolish the death penalty in Sudan.
  3. Ensure the physical and psychological integrity Abok Alfau Akok, and of all prisoners in Sudan, and guarantee their right to free trial.
  4. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

ADDRESSES

His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan,
People's Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan,
Telex: 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD
Fax: +249 11 771 7 24
Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan,
Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fax: +249 11 7740 63
Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan,
Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD
Fax: 249 11 7740 63

Please also write to the embassies of Sudan in your respective countries.

BACKGROUND

Sudan: Woman Sentenced to Death by Stoning by a Criminal Court.

On 8th December 2001, Abok Alfa Akok, a Christian woman of 18 years of age from the Dinka tribe, was sentenced by the criminal court in Nyala City, Southern Darfur, to execution by stoning for the crime of adultery.

The Sudanese Government has in the past claimed that its Sharia laws would not be applied to Christians but this case shows otherwise. The sentence was based on Article 146 of the Sudan's 1991 Penal Code, which is based upon the government's interpretation of Shari'a (Islamic law), and which states that whoever commits the offence of adultery shall be punished with:

  1. Execution by stoning when the offender is married (muhsan).
  2. One hundred lashes when the offender is not married (non-muhsan).
  3. Male, non-married offenders may be punished, in addition to whipping, with expatriation for one year.

Her lawyer stated she did not receive a fair trial and an appeal has been submitted against the sentence.

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