Demonstration at the US Embassy in Oslo, Norway: BAN THE DEATH PENALTY! HUMAN RIGHTS FOR PRISONERS! FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL!

November 7/2000-- 7 representatives from THE SUPPORT COMITTEE FOR MUMIA ABU-JAMAL IN NORWAY this afternoon climbed the roof of the entrance of the US Embassy in Oslo. They were all dressed in striped "prisoner's suits". Around 30 other demonstrants were in the street outside the embassy, handing out flyers and shouting "Free Mumia Abu-Jamal" and other messages to the American governments - old and new. The activists on the roof refused to withdraw, and were taken away by police in the pouring rain after about one hour of demonstrations.

In connection with the American election for President, the Support Comittee for Mumia Abu-Jamal in Norway wish to direct the attention of politicians, diplomats, media and people in general towards the use of capital death penalty and the situation for American prisoners in general, and the case of journalist, human rights defender and death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal in particular.

Background: ELECTION - BUT NO CHOICE... Today, the Americans vote for President. This election will have impact far beyond the borders of the USA. In a human rights perspective, the election gives little reason for optimism. Neither candidate Gore nor Bush are against the use of death penalty. As governor of Texas since January 1995, George W. Bush is responsible for around 140 executions, 21 % of the total of 660+ executions in the USA since 1976.

The use of death penalty is in direct conflict with human rights. The rights to life and to not be a victim of torture or cruel and inhuman punishment, are absolute and non-negotiable, no matter if you are innocent like a newborn lamb, if you are a previous drunken driver or if you are a convicted murderer. The death penalty is irrevocable, can be inflicted on the innocent, and has not proven to be more crime-preventive than other types of judicial punishment. Additionally, to promote the right to take life as punishment for taking a life is an obvious moral self-contradiction.

Inmates of in American prisons suffer from viscious abuse, torture and humiliation from guards. Many of them never had a chance for a fair trial, many innocent, many of them in prison for long sentences as a result of the zero tolerance policy for committing a petty third crime. Use of imprisonment as a solution for poverty issues is contempt of people!

None of the leading candidates in the election for President plan to do anything about the worlds fastest growing industry, the incarceration industry, to give prisoners human rights. And with a situation where for instance every third black man in California has no right to vote as a result of a previous conviction, the situation for prisoners is not much of an issue in the election campaigs. Start treating prisoners as humans now! Stop the torture and abuse in American prisons! Abolish the death penalty!

Journalist, human rights defender and death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal is the major focus for the Support committee for Mumia Abu-Jamal. Mumia-supporters worldwide demand freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal, who we insist is innocent of the crime for which he is convicted. The case is in a critical period, where judge Yohn jr. is to decide whether Mumia be granted a new, fair trial. The case can take a new turn any day now, on the so-called "Day X". Freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal!  

With the best intentions,

The Support Committee for Mumia Abu Jamal in Norway.
Støttekomiteen for Mumia Abu-Jamal
Pb 6689 St. Olavsplass - 0129 Oslo
mailto:mumia_norge@yahoo.no   http://come.to/mumia  

 

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