Nigeria (Hansard, 25 March 2002)

§ Phil Sawford
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Nigerian Government in support of Safiyatu Hussaini's appeal against the sentence of death by stoning for the crime of adultery. [43972]

§ Mr. MacShane
We have repeatedly made clear our concerns about the case of Safiyatu Hussaini. Our high commission in Abuja is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with local organisations involved in the case. Ms Hussaini has the support of a strong defence team, supported by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission and local non-governmental organisations.

§ Mr. Mullin
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria regarding the woman due to be stoned to death; and if he will make a statement. [45004]

§ Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria about the decision by Sharia law to stone to death Safiyati Husseini. [44896]

§ Mr. MacShane
The Nigerian Government are well aware of the Government's concerns over the sentence of death by stoning passed on Safiyatu Husseini.
Ms Husseini's case is currently before Sokoto State Sharia Court of Appeal, which has said it will give its decision on the appeal on 25 March. If the sentence is confirmed, there is scope for further appeals. Ms Husseini is supported by a strong legal team and the Nigerian Human Rights Commission.
The British high commission in Abuja is monitoring the situation closely, and has made the Government's concerns over the case known at a number of levels to the Nigerian authorities.