#JusticeForNoura

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 Phoebe Egoroff 0 Comments #JusticeForNoura, women's rights

Meet Noura. At 16 years old, her father forced her into an arranged marriage with an older man. Refusing her father Noura escaped to her aunt, over 200km away, where she remained for the next three years and continued her education. After hearing from her father that her wedding plans had been cancelled, Noura returned home, only to find that she had been tricked and a marriage ceremony was underway.

For days, then-19-year-old Noura refused to consummate her marriage, much to the frustration of her new husband. Then, along with his cousins and brothers who held her down, Noura’s husband raped her in front of them. The next day, Noura retaliated against another attempted rape, fatally stabbing her husband. Noura returned to her family, who turned her in to the police out of shame.

This year on 29 April, a year after the attack, Noura was convicted and on 10 May, she was sentenced to death. Her husband’s family was given the option of executing her or accepting monetary damages and unfortunately, they chose the former. Noura has until 25 May to appeal her death sentence; she is hoping to argue self-defence to overturn the ruling.

Pursuant to article 27(1) of the Sudanese Criminal Act 1991 (which is based upon Sharia law); “execution is either by hanging or stoning or in the same manner as the commitment of murder by the perpetrator, and may be as a hudud punishment or in retribution or approximation, and may be with crucifixion”. Under Sharia law, hudud punishments are mandated by God, and were seldom used in early Islam.

Additionally, and similar to the Western world, Sudan’s procedural guarantees include; innocence until proven guilty, the accused will not be coerced into self-incrimination, the right to bail, the right to appeal, and the right to medical care and legal assistance for the accused.

While not unusual, Noura’s case resonates with those subject to society’s deeply patriarchal roots, and illustrates how it is inherently incorrect. It also further exemplifies the struggles suffered by women living under Sharia law. Advocates now must step up and be examples of how to uphold the rights and protection of the vulnerable.

Phoebe Egoroff

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