We have received news of Kartini (full name Karteen Karikander), the Indonesian domestic worker who was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery in the United Arab Emirates. Our reliable contact visited Kartini in the United Arab Emirates, as well as her lawyer (she now has one), the attorney and the judge.
Kartini’s sentence is now due to be appealed in a higher court in Fujairah, but to date her sentence to death by stoning still stands.
MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Kartini was actually raped by an Indian national Mohammed Sulaiman Frangoan. Kartini was apparently so ashamed and degraded by the rape that she was ready to give up and die, believing she could never have a normal life. However the enormous response to this appeal from around the world has convinced her to fight this unjust sentence and reclaim her life.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
If you have not yet written to the President and the Minster of Justice, please do so as soon as you can. We believe that your letter, joined to the many others that have come in, have a good chance of convincing the President to overturn the sentence. If you have written, you could add to your action by notifying your national embassy in the UAE, or by organising a small gathering outside the UAE embassy or other symbolic location in your city.
SAMPLE LETTER
HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
President, Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates
Presidential Court
280, Abu Dhabi
March 2000
Your Excellency
I am writing to urge you to overturn the death sentence that has been handed down on the Indonesian domestic worker, Kartini (full name Karteen Karikander).
It has come to my attention that, after being accused of adultery and detained for some time, Karsini was taken before the Syariah Fujairah Municipal Court and tried without any legal assistance, or even an interpreter to allow her to defend herself. I am certain you are unhappy with this process, as are many people around the world as they learn of the plight of this woman. Basic human rights standards demand a fair trial, which is obviously not possible without understanding what is happening or having access to legal representation.
For a nation seeking to engage in freely with the rest of the world, it may be inappropriate to continue the practice of the death sentence, particularly in the circumstances surrounding Kartini’s trial. Death by stoning would be viewed by most nations and most people in the countries with which you seek to engage as brutal and inhumane. There are many ancient practices and traditions that add value and meaning to a modern society – the death penalty by stoning for adultery is surely not one of them.
I know that you are a man of great faith, and once you said \”Islam is the religion of tolerance and forgiveness….of dialogue and understanding. It is Islamic social justice which has asked every Muslim to respect the other. To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul is a mark of Islam.\” I humbly ask you to think of Karsini as a
‘special soul’, and to show great tolerance and understanding of her situation. Please overturn her sentence and let her get on with her life.
I have alerted my national embassy in your country to the situation of Kartini, and am assured that they will monitor the case closely. We all expect and hope that you will find it in your heart to overturn Karsini’s death sentence.
Yours sincerely,
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SEND URGENT APPEALS TO:
HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
President, Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates
Presidential Court
280, Abu Dhabi
TEL: 971-2-652000
SALUTATION: Your Excellency
H.E. Mohammed Nakhira Al Dhahiri
Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf
P.O. Box 753
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Telephone: 971 2 652224
SALUTATION: Dear Minister
Please remember to send a copy of your letter to AHRC: ua@ahrchk.org
