Noura Hussein's Death Penalty is Revoked
In an incredible result for women’s rights activists all over the world, Noura Hussein, the Sudanese teenager who was due to be hanged for killing her rapist, has had her death sentence revoked.
For the full story, read our previous article here.
The court’s decision follows an appeal put forward by her legal team, supported by fervent campaigns for clemency from Amnesty International and United Nations Women.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied was another notable voice calling for the public to sign a petition and put pressure on the Sudanese authorities, not only to grant clemency to Noura but also to rethink the country’s laws pertaining to marital rape. The petition received over a million signatures as Noura’s story spread through the media in the form of the hashtag #justicefornoura.
Today, in response to the news, Yassmin tweeted “Never let anyone tell you that an action is too small and that it won't make a difference.”
While the news is worthy of our celebrations, Noura still isn’t quite ‘free’. The reality is that she is still required to serve 5 years in prison and pay 337,500 Sudanese pounds (around £14,200) in dia (blood money), charged with unlawful killing rather than premeditated murder. Human rights organisation Equality Now have voiced resistance to the revised sentence, and “are looking at next steps to support [Noura]”.
The determined teenager has enrolled herself on a distance learning course to work towards her goal of being a lawyer, and will certainly be a force to be reckoned with once her sentence is served. However, despite overwhelming public support, when Noura is released she will face rebuilding a life in a society that may not think her redeemed. To find out how to help Noura through this, watch out for updates from Equality Now.
You can also support the Superwoman Network, which brings together five civil society organizations to provide legal aid and training to help women who were once the victims of domestic violence and FGM. One of these organisations includes the SEEMA Center for Training and Protection of Women and Child’s Rights, who have supported Noura throughout her fight with the Sudanese authorities.
Our congratulations to Noura, whose courage will pave the way for more just laws and equality for women in Sudan and around the world.
Sources:
Title image art by @khalidalbaih
Amnesty International
The Guardian
