Latest news: Fair Justice For All
03/12/03
Bradford youths call for justice
The appeals of the young Asian men sentenced to over four years in prison for taking part in the disturbances in Bradford ended with four of them receiving a reduction of their sentences.
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Fair Justice For All
The
Fair Justice Campaign is a family led campaign calling for fair sentences
in the trials of more than 300 young Asian men facing riot charges for their
involvement in the disturbances of July 2001 in Bradford, following weeks
of intense far right activity in the town.
The Fair Justice Campaign is a family led campaign calling for fair sentences
in the trials of more than 300 young Asian men facing riot charges for their
involvement in the disturbances of July 2001 in Bradford, following weeks
of intense far right activity in the town. The families of those involved,
some of whom already in prison facing sentences of four and a half years for
throwing a single stone, are extremely concerned that the criminal justice
system has not treated their loved ones fairly. The primary aims of the campaign
are to raise awareness of the disproportionate sentencing and to provide a
support network for those in prison and their families. The families are particularly
concerned about the fact that many first time offenders who pleaded guilty
were not granted appropriate sentences.
During a recent sentencing of two young Asian men facing riot charges for
throwing stones at the police, Judge Stephen Gullick, the Honorary Recorder
of Bradford passing the sentences has been reported in the local media as
saying 'that charge (the riot charge) not only includes the actions of the
individuals defendants such as yourselves, but also the unlawful conduct of
all those around you as well.' (press reports available on http://www.nationrecs.demon.co.uk/fjfa/)
This approach goes against an important principle of the criminal justice
system, i.e. defendants are responsible for their own actions and not that
of others.
With the trials of those involved in the disturbances in Oldham and Burnley
currently under way, we believe this represents a huge miscarriage of justice.
What you can do:
• Sign up to the support statement of the campaign
• Attend weekly pickets of the court in Bradford, called by the families,
as sentencing takes place
Statement of support for the Fair Justice campaign
More than a year on from the disturbances in Oldham, Bradford
and Burnley, which took place with the backdrop of intense far right activity
in those towns, we express our shock at the treatment meted out to young Asian
men involved. In Bradford the criminal justice process has awarded extremely
biased, severe sentences. Sentences against Asian youths have included four
and a half years in prison for throwing a single stone. Such harsh penalties
stand in complete contrast to the treatment of white youths in similar circumstances,
who have routinely faced less serious charges, resulting in significantly
more lenient sentences. Such double standards are unacceptable, unfair and
unjust. They sum up the institutional racism still rampant in the criminal
justice system.
We endorse the Fair Justice campaign's call for fair sentences in the trials
of the hundreds of young Asian men who, in the main, were first time offenders
and gave themselves up in the aftermath of the disturbances. We pledge our
support for their forthcoming appeals.
Email the National
Assembly Against Racism with 'Fair Justice Campaign' in the subject
box to add your name to the campaign.
