Law and Rights
The Prime Minister is in Washington amidst the political row which has broken out over BP. Apart from the "Deep Horizon" oil disaster, the Americans are angry with BP in connection with the release of al-Megrahi ("the Lockerbie bomber"). The Guardian 21st July covered Cameron's visit. Cameron has referred to the release of al-Megrahi as a "mistake". Of course, al-Megrahi stands convicted of the murder of 270 people (259 on board the aeroplane and 11 on the ground). He was convicted at a trial held in Holland. Scots Law applied and he was tried by three judges alone (contrary to the usual Scottish system of a jury of 15 in "solemn proceedings") - see here. Doubts have lingered over his actual guilt but al-Megrahi abandoned an appeal just prior to his release on compassionate grounds. The Scottish High Court of Justiciary was in possession of a lengthy investigation into the case by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission - (see their news release about the reference to the court and see the views of Professor Robert Black QC). It is unclear whether the abandonment of the appeal and his release were connected. At the time, it was said that he could not be released, even on compassionate grounds, if any legal proceedings remained. Surely, if the release were truly "compassionate" then there ought not to be any link. [The questions surrounding the medical assessment of al-Megahi are discussed here].
The Scottish First Minister (Alex Salmond) has said that the release of al-Megrahi was not a cause for regret - see here. Another writer argues that the truth must be revealed - here.
Cameron is reported as having said of al-Megrahi - "He was convicted of the biggest mass murder in British history, in my view that man should have died in jail. Full stop. End of. Nothing to add to that. You don't release people who have been convicted of a crime that serious".
Is Cameron right? I am not so sure that we should abandon compassion even in cases this serious. As ever, your views are welcome.
- Coming Soon In The Court Of Appeal - Legality Of Whole Life Terms For Murder
Update 18th February: The Court of Appeal has upheld the legality of "whole life" orders - Judgment. Original Post: The death penalty for murder was abolished in the United Kingdom and, in its place, a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment has to be...
- Vinter And Others V Uk ~ European Court Of Human Rights
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has held that the United Kingdom is in breach of Article 3 of the Convention by imposing whole life orders without possibility of review for murder. The key words there are without possibility...
- Lockerbie: 23 Years Ago Today
Addendum: The following links may be of interest: Lockerbiecase and Daily Mail 22nd December. ----- 21st December 1988 was the day when Pan Am Flight 103 - a Boeing 747 en route from London Heathrow to New York - was destroyed by explosive...
- Even More Fisticuffs With Europe Is Likely ... Whole Life Tariffs For Murder Under Challenge
The Press Association (26th February) - "Killers contest whole life tariff" - is the claim being made in the European Court of Human Rights by three men - Jeremy Bamber, Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter - who are serving "whole life tariffs" for murder. ...
- That Was The Week That Was ...
This week has seen some interesting matters. The present government has said that the return of convicted Lockerbie bomber al-Megrahi to Libya was a "mistake" - see The Guardian 16th July. Of course, they mean that it was a mistake made...
Law and Rights
Should there be no room for compassion in some cases?
The Scottish First Minister (Alex Salmond) has said that the release of al-Megrahi was not a cause for regret - see here. Another writer argues that the truth must be revealed - here.
Cameron is reported as having said of al-Megrahi - "He was convicted of the biggest mass murder in British history, in my view that man should have died in jail. Full stop. End of. Nothing to add to that. You don't release people who have been convicted of a crime that serious".
Is Cameron right? I am not so sure that we should abandon compassion even in cases this serious. As ever, your views are welcome.
- Coming Soon In The Court Of Appeal - Legality Of Whole Life Terms For Murder
Update 18th February: The Court of Appeal has upheld the legality of "whole life" orders - Judgment. Original Post: The death penalty for murder was abolished in the United Kingdom and, in its place, a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment has to be...
- Vinter And Others V Uk ~ European Court Of Human Rights
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has held that the United Kingdom is in breach of Article 3 of the Convention by imposing whole life orders without possibility of review for murder. The key words there are without possibility...
- Lockerbie: 23 Years Ago Today
Addendum: The following links may be of interest: Lockerbiecase and Daily Mail 22nd December. ----- 21st December 1988 was the day when Pan Am Flight 103 - a Boeing 747 en route from London Heathrow to New York - was destroyed by explosive...
- Even More Fisticuffs With Europe Is Likely ... Whole Life Tariffs For Murder Under Challenge
The Press Association (26th February) - "Killers contest whole life tariff" - is the claim being made in the European Court of Human Rights by three men - Jeremy Bamber, Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter - who are serving "whole life tariffs" for murder. ...
- That Was The Week That Was ...
This week has seen some interesting matters. The present government has said that the return of convicted Lockerbie bomber al-Megrahi to Libya was a "mistake" - see The Guardian 16th July. Of course, they mean that it was a mistake made...