Harel
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Further to earlier emails, I hope that the extracts below will
help to outline Amnesty International's concerns about Leonard
Peltier's case. The extracts come from a campaign action issued
on behalf of Leonard Peltier during AI's campaign on behalf of
Indigenous Peoples.
Please note that AI's concern is that Leonard Peltier may not
have received a fair trial. AI is not calling for his release as
a prisoner of conscience - it is calling for a retrial in the
interests of justice.
Ray Mitchell
Urgent Action Coordinator
AI British Section
===============================================
[background text deleted]
Amnesty International sent observers to Leonard Peltier's trial
in 1977 and to subsequent appeal and evidentiary hearings in
1978, 1983, 1984 and 1991. The organization has repeatedly
expressed concern at irregularities in the proceedings which led
to Leonard Peltier's conviction, including that his extradition
to the USA from Canada in 1976 to stand trial was granted on the
basis of evidence which the FBI later admitted it had fabricated.
[text deleted]
Amnesty International identified instances where AIM members and
others appeared to have been falsely charged with criminal
offences, selectively prosecuted or deprived of due legal process
for reasons of race or political activities.
[text deleted]
Points to raise in your letter
- That you are concerned about irregularities in the proceedings
which led to Leonard Peltier's conviction which may have
prejudiced the fairness of his trial.
- Note in your letter that Leonard Peltier's extradition to the
USA was granted on the basis of evidence which the FBI later
admitted it had fabricated.
- Please say that these and other factors have led Amnesty
International to conclude that the interests of justice would be
best served if Leonard Peltier were granted a retrial, and urge
the authorities to review his case in order to bring this about.
##################################################################