The Howard League for Penal Reform has written to the Prime Minister to request a meeting over the UK government’s decision this summer not to seek assurances from the US government against the use of the death penalty.
The letter, which is co-signed by JUSTICE and other non-governmental organisations, lawyers and academics, was sent to Theresa May yesterday (Wednesday 10 October), which also was the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
The letter states: “The position of this country in opposing capital punishment is clear, principled and has been adopted by all political parties. This principle has manifested itself in policies not to extradite individuals without assurances that the death penalty will not be imposed, and it has led to successive governments imposing expert controls on the materials used in executions. It is therefore astonishing that the government has reneged on this stance on this occasion.”
The letter has been signed by Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform and JUSTICE, Amnesty International UK, Death Penalty Project and Liberty have also signed, along with Lord Carlile of Berriew QC and Ben Emmerson QC.
The letter has also been signed by six eminent academics: Professor Carolyn Hoyle, University of Oxford; Dr Bharat Malkani, Cardiff University; Dr Mai Sato, University of Reading; Professor William A Schabas, Middlesex University; Dr Lizzie Seal, University of Sussex; and Professor Jon Yorke, Director of the Centre for Human Rights at Birmingham City University.