FIGHT FOR LIFE PRISONERS in Uruguay - including anarchist activists -
desperately need international solidarity. Following a major prison mutiny
the authorities are exacting revenge, torturing and beating inmates. 3
prisoners are dead, reportedly killed by guards. The mutiny broke out on 1
March in Montevideo. Inmates rebelled against brutality and appalling
conditions, taking over and largely destroying the inaptly named 'Liberty'
jail. The prisoners held 10 guards hostage, to ensure that the police did
not attack and kill them all. The guards were later released unharmed.
Inmates' relatives demonstrated outside the jail, publicising the
prisoners' demands concerning overcrowding, maltreatment of prisoners by
the guards, a lack of medical services, etc.. While the prison was
encircled by army tanks and military helicopters clattered overhead, the
prisoners courageously held out. They negotiated to end the siege: the
authorities agreeing that there would be no reprisals against any prisoners
and that all would be transferred to other jails. Some prisoners were
transferred. But the hundreds kept in the Libertad prison have been
subjected to torture and beatings. Three prisoners have died. The
authorities' claims that they committed suicide or were killed by other
prisoners are not believed by inmates' relatives who suspect murder by the
guards. The authorities are searching for scapegoats for the rebellion,
thus there is particular concern for 2 young anarchist prisoners, the
brothers Gerardo and Miguel Jimenez, currently in Tablada prison. Family
members on the outside have been on hunger strike, as they fear for the
brothers' lives. Gerardo and Miguel, of Swedish nationality, have been
unjustly imprisoned for the last 3 years, for political reasons. Friends
and family of the prisoners in Uruguay stress just how important
international solidarity is. To find out more Anarchist Black Cross, Buenos
Aires <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.muchachos.cjb.net Info taken
from April/May and May/June issues of Obrera Prisionera, paper of Anarchist
Black Cross of Iberian Peninsula: CNA, apdo.5 de Getafe, 28901 Madrid,
Spain
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Satpal Ram free at last At 7.00pm on Tuesday 18th June 2002, Satpal Ram
walked through the prison gate of HMP Blantyre House, for the last time.
Satpal's conviction has not been quashed and though he is now out on
licence, Satpal will continue to fight the conviction, that has kept him in
prison since 1987. Threatened with legal action that continued imprisonment
of Satpal was unlawful the Treasury Solicitor for the Home Office threw in
the towel last Thursday and said they would release Satpal. All that was
needed to free Satpal was two signatures. Lord Woolf, the Lord Chief
Justice, put his signature to the paper on Friday. A counter signature from
a Home Office Minister, usually the prison minister, was then needed to
complete the release papers but at this stage the Home Secretary, David
Blunkett, made a personal intervention and was more than reluctant to sign
Satpal's release. He should have counter signed the release on Friday but
didn't, which meant Satpal had to spend another weekend in prison. On
Monday 17th and on the day of his release, numerous phone calls to
Blunkett's office brought no joy, it was becoming clear that despite the
advice of his own legal experts, Blunkett was stonewalling the release.
Satpal's legal team were advised by the Treasury Solicitor that they stood
by their original decision to release Satpal. It was clear that Blunkett
who was holding up the release against their advice. Now Satpal's
solicitors, felt there was no option but to go back to court. At 6.00pm on
Tuesday evening, Satpal's legal team were on their way to the High Court to
apply for an order to release Satpal when David Blunkett conceded defeat
and counter signed Satpal's release papers.
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Mark Barnsley Released from Whitemoor Prison Justice for Mark Barnsley
Campaign, are overjoyed to announce that miscarriage of justice prisoner
Mark Barnsley was finally released from Whitemoor prison on the morning of
Monday 24th June 2002. Mark walked out of maximum securty HMP Whitemoor to
loud cheers and applause from waiting supporters. Friends, eager to welcome
Mark out of prison had travelled from around the country and included an
official delegation from the NUM, complete with their National Union
banner. After spending over 8 years in just about every Maximum security
hell- hole the prison system has to offer, Mark is in good spirits and
obviously glad to be finally out. Mark and his campaign would like to take
ths opportunity to thank everyone who has supported him during his wrongful
imprisonment. Whilst Mark tries to re-build his life and adjust to living
in the outside world again the Justice for Mark Barnsley campaign will
continue to help him get the justice which is long overdue. Mark has been
released after serving two thirds of his 12 year prison sentence but he has
yet to clear his name and have his wrongful conviction overturned. Prior to
his release Mark refused to sign his licence on the principle that he is an
innocent man and freedom is his right. Before Mark was even released, the
Police in South Yorkshire tried to intimidate local supporters. In a very
obvious attempt to make things even harder for Mark, the place where he was
intending to live upon his release was visited by the local Police
Intelligence Unit (Special Branch). This sadly resulted in Mark losing his
new home before he was even out of prison. Thanks to friends and supporters
rallying round though, a local alternative was quckly arranged so that
Mark's release could go ahead and he at least has a decent place to stay.
This action by the Police is obviously of concern to us and we will
continue to closely monitor the situation. If you have Mark on your mailing
lists (magazines and other publications) please change his details to those
below. Also if you'd like to contact Mark you can now write to him at: Mark
Barnsley C/O JfMB, PO BOX 381 HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 3XX [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.ainfos.ca/ainfos14995.html
