.jpg "Muslim women in prayer")
A Sudanese judge, Sami Ibrahim Shabo sentenced to death by stoning a young woman accused of committing adultery.
Intisar Sharif Abdalla, believed to be between 15 and 17 years of age (although prison authorities claim she is 20) was sentenced to death in accordance with Article 146 of the Sudanese criminal law albeit without legal representation.
The judgment was made on May 13, 2012 after just one hearing and came after an “admission of guilt” plea following torture and brutal beatings by Sharif’s brother who instigated the case. Her co-accused however remains un-convicted and walks freely.
This absurd decision demonstrates both the inhumane and brutal sanctioning to death for committing sexual relations outside of marriage, but furthermore calls into questions the legal institutions and frameworks applied, especially as the “admission of guilt” was made under duress.
Sharif is accused of having a relationship outside wedlock and getting impregnated by a man that is not legally her husband. Initially, she and the man whom she is co-accused with both denied the charges.
Her lawyer, only able to access her after the judgment was made, understands that following her initial denial she was beaten up and tortured repeatedly by her brother forcing her to confess to committing adultery. With the ‘coerced’ confession, Judge Sami Ibrahim Shabo of Ombada General Criminal Court, Khartoum state, sentenced her to stoning after just one court session.
Sharif is understood to be deeply traumatized and is without access to any suitable psychosocial support. Her newly born child is also with her in prison. Ultimately, some observers believe the judgment demonstrates the scale of discrimination against women and girls in Sudan and the biased judgments made against them for acts which involves two sexes – a man and woman. It is incredulous that
the man with whom she has been accused is able to walk free showing explicitly the strong anti-women sentiment and harsh management of family disputes that exist within both the Sudanese judicial system and society.
Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is calling on the Sudan Ministry of Justice and other relevant Sudanese government bodies to investigate this case thoroughly and possibly overturn the judgment.
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Comments
Any objections voiced from the African Union?
EAC leaders must face up to their responsibilitie s and demand good behavior and non discrimination against any body on the basis of gender. This issue is too near to us to remain silent!
The brother of the girl should be tried for cruelty to his sister. How do you accept statements that were made under duress? Is Sudan a member of the AU and UN? It should be suspended.
Good point, Jonathan. A law to be just must be applied uniformly. How many Africans, indeed Americans, are guilty of adultery and would be stoned to death?
The brother should be tried for assault and battery but violence against women is seldom regarded as a crime.
Suspension of Sudan from the United Nations and the African Union is an excellent suggestion. Sudan is an outcast.
It still shocks me that a woman, would subscribe to Islam. This may not be that she did so but it helps that the religion is eating itself and since the world is getting smaller,who knows, fewer women will be getting into islamic marriages.
But for those who voluntarily enter such, i would not sympathise with them. Where is the man she had sex with? Can some sheikh tell me what historical offence women committed during the evolution of Islam that they should be acknowledged only in bed as humans?
That they must not even be seen in public is enough to delegate them as non-people. Burkas,nor going out alone,divorce by the man by 2or 3 words.
Well,let her be stoned its good for the future of society.Do our girls learn from this,no,so let them sentence themselves to death by 'sinning'Good bye.
We should not allow these killing. I do not think that this crime is worthy death what about people like president Bashir should be the one being sentenced to death for the atrocities
What a human rights violation! It is not cultural; it is criminal.
Any objections voiced from the African Union?
Let us talk honestly, this is not culture and not Sharia law this what the Ingaz gangs try to destroy the Sharia law and the community.
You are killing her by using a state tool viz 'Article 146 of the Sudanese criminal law' without soiling your hand.A good turn deserves another - wait for your turn will surely come soon.
For dont even dream of getting away.In this Earth we have one lifetime only.
If that's the way we're playing it, then what type of sentence would suit the likes of Bashir and his henchmen for their bloodthirsty, war-ravaged, hellish (mis)rule of the Sudan?
I just simply cannot think of any.
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