While awaiting her death by stoning:Laila’s case needs to be reconsidered [Archives:2003/627/Local News]

By Mohammed bin Sallam
Yemen Times Staff
A number of human rights organizations and international anti-violence organizations have recently expressed their resentment over Laila Aesha, a Yemeni woman who was sentenced to death by throwing stones at her in public after being found of committing adultery.
A number of human rights organizations told Attaggmo'a newspaper last week that the final decision against Laila has ignored a number of facts regarding her case.
“We strictly adhere to the society's values and the justice of Sharia, (Islamic Law), but the final decision against Laila is unfair and will not be accepted by those who have a bit of conscience,” the paper said.
Those organizations have demanded the president to interfere immediately considering the case as unfair. “She fell as a victim to adultery before even being 16 years old. She has been abandoned by her husband for about two year,” the paper said.
A judicial source told Attaggmo'a that Laila's case hasn't gained a legal stance and that her case has been unfairly finalized.
“She wasn't offered the opportunity to speak up and confess or even to speak about the conditions she was exposed to,” the source said.
On its part, the Yemen Anti-violence Committee has stated earlier to al-Qistas Magazine, that Laila's case is simply a mere act and that the laws of the Islamic Sharia point out that Laila can repent of her sins.
It is not ruled out that the confession of Laila's case might be obtained under stress or by force.
When considering the case, the judge refused her the right to appeal and ordered to go on with the death sentence.
It is worth while mentioning that several human rights organizations have expressed their worries and concerns over human rights violations against woman and the vulnerable in the community. In Sharia, a married man or woman who commits adultery willingly and with eyewitnesses present is subject to death by stoning. The situation becomes too unjust when some judged are not well-qualified and simply implement such extreme sentences too hastily.
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