Call to boycott beauty pageant after death ruling

Date: 26/09/02

MEPS have called for a boycott of this year's Miss World event, due to take place in Nigeria.

They are urging contestants to pull out of the contest in protest at the death sentence imposed on a 30-year-old woman by an Islamic court in northern Nigeria.

Amina Lawal is due to be stoned to death after giving birth outside marriage.

In August, her appeal was rejected by a Sharia court.

The European Parliament's committee on women's rights and equal opportunities is pressing member states to follow the lead of Belgium and France, which are withdrawing their contestants from the event.

Kenya, Ivory Coast and Norway have also said they will not be taking part, while seven countries, including Germany, Finland and Poland are considering a boycott.

Committee chairman Anna Karamanou described Nigeria as a country which treats women in a 'totally unacceptable way'.

The Greek Socialist said the Lawal case was a horrifying breach of human rights.

The contest is taking place in the Nigerian capital of Abuja in November.

Sweden's contestant, Sophia Hedmark, has said she will be taking part and using the platform to highlight the severity of Sharia justice.

'There is nothing to be gained by not going to Nigeria - I plan to protest against the ruling in interviews,' she said.

MEPs have called for a boycott of the 2002 Miss World event, due to take place in Nigeria in November. They are urging contestants to pull out of the contest in protest at the death sentence imposed on a 30-year-old woman by an Islamic court in northern Nigeria.