---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 05 Dec 1997 17:53:56 -0500 From: Tracy Quan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Harry M. Cleaver" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Please post this to PEN-L and other lists: Four Women Facing Imminent Death Date: Fri, 05 Dec 1997 12:03:12 -0500 Subject: Four Women Facing Imminent Death ! (fwd) If you would like to add your name to the list write to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> as soon as possible Subject: Four Women Facing Imminent Death ! (fwd) Dear friends, Please support this URGENT APPEAL to save the lives of four Sudanese women who are now facing the death penalty by the NIF regime. To support this appeal, add your signature to the list below. Feel free to pass it to all your friends, Thank you magda _____________________________________________________________________ The Secretary General Of The UN, New York The Secretary General Of The OAU, Addis Ababa The UN Commission For Human Rights, Geneva The Chair Of The UN Women s Committee, New York The UN Representative In Sudan, Khartoum The Heads Of The Diplomatic Missions In Sudan Khartoum Amnesty International, London Human Rights Watch, Washington, D.C. The Sudan Human Rights Organization, London The Arab Bar Association, Cairo * Four Women Facing Imminent Execution! * We, the undersigned, respectfully ask for your prompt action to stop the death sentence issued by a Sudanese court against four women accused of engaging in prostitution . On Tuesday November 25, 1997, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported, that four women have been sentenced to death by an Islamic Shariaa Court for prostitution . The convicted women have been allowed only 15 days (until Dec. 10/97) to appeal this brutal sentence. Sudan s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abdelbasit Sabdrat, has confirmed that the women s case is before the Supreme Court and that the execution would be carried out unless it is reversed. Since 1983, those sentenced for prostitution had been subjected to death by stoning in public. The penal code in Sudan is part of the abhored 1983 Sharia laws, introduced by the deposed dictator Numeiri and carried over by the National Islamic Front (NIF) and the present military junta. These laws contravene the universally accepted principles of justice. In the Sudan, thoughtful Muslims and other citizens have persistently opposed the introduction of Numeiri s/NIF selfstyled Shariaa law, especially the application of the hudud punishments (amputation, crucifixion and stoning) at a time of enormous social and economic distress in the country. Unlike the adultery offense for which the Islamic Shariaa has laid down stricter rules, the prostitution offense is vague and often based on hearsay and circumstantial evidence. The death sentence handed down to the four convicted women is unjustified and unusually cruel. The excessive punishment, notwithstanding, the convicted women have been allowed only 15 days for appeal. This is a travesty of justice and a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration On Human Rights and the OAU Human Rights Convention to which the Sudan government is a signatory. An offense such as prostitution should have been considered in the context of the enormous economic and social hardships emanating from decades of civil war, displacement and other reprisals primarily endured by women. By ignoring these mitigating circumstances, the court officials who convicted the four women have demonstrated incompetence and shameful disregard for justice and human lives. We, the undersigned, are gravely incensed by the cruelty of the sentence meted out to the four convicted women. We are extremely concerned the death sentence might be carried out, unless a powerful, worldwide campaign is launched on their behalf. Here and today, we call on the advocates of human rights everywhere to raise their voices and demand this extremely cruel punishment against the four convicted women be quashed. We are in a tight race against time to prevent a senseless tragedy from happening on Dec. 10th. Your voice and expeditious intervention will make a colossal difference in the struggle to save four precious lives. Please, support this appeal by every possible means! Demand this mockery trial be declared null and void. The military government in Sudan should be put on notice that its assault on human rights will not go unchecked!. Thank you very much for your sympathy and support. Signatures: Hashim Mohd Salih, California Asma Abdelhalim, New York Dr. Abdel Magid Bob, California Omar Hassan, California Ahmad Al-Kheiry Al-Dabi, Washington, D.C. Dr. Rasheed Khalifa, California Um Al-Kheir Kambal, California Sondra Hale, California Sausan Gafaar, California Abdel Rahim Mohd Minalla, California Igbal Mohd, California Tartiq Abel Moneim, Toronto Amir Mohammed, Texas Arhab Abdalla, N. Carolina Amin kamil saeed, Pennsylvania Jamal Mahgoub, California Ishraga Taha Mustafa, Pennsyvania Igbal A/Gadir, Pennsylvania Dr. Abderahman Ibrahim, Pennsylvania Omar Abdel Sawi, Pennsylvania Dr. Nahid Mohd Ahmad, Pennsylvania Mohd Algadi, Massachusetts Magda Mohd Ahmad Ali, Massachusetts Mohd Ali, New York Amir Musa, New York Abdelsalm Bushra, Minnesota Thuraia Ibrahim Ali, Minnesota Muiz Abunoura, N. Carolina Beshir Bakar, Washington, D.C. Khalid al-Khalifa Abdullahi, Washington, D.C. Dr. Afaf Omar, N. Carolina Saadia Alkhalifa abdullahi, Washington, D.C. Abu Bakr Sidahmed, UAE~ Mohammed Al-Khatim, Pennsylvania Omar Idris, Pennsylvania Ahmad Al-Mardi, Texas Aida Aljabri, Pennsylvania Haitham Tawfiq, Pennsylvania Murtada Al-Basha, Texas ==================================================================*.* Tracy Quan e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> voice (US area code) 212.969.0931