MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

Early day motion 613, tabled 19 December 2001 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House welcomes the decision of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania court on 18th December to quash the death sentence passed on journalist and black political rights activist, Mumia Abu-Jamal; regrets however that his original murder conviction has been maintained despite the confession of Arnold Beverly and his willingness to testify; notes that a court reporter, Ms Terri Maurer-Carter has filed an affidavit stating that the 1982 trial judge boasted in racial terms of his determination to see a death penalty executed and that her evidence to this effect is unchallenged; notes that Amnesty International has condemned the conduct of the Abu-Jamal trial; believes that Mumia Abu-Jamal is the victim of a miscarriage of justice and expresses its belief that a court should now examine all the fresh evidence that will enable Mumia Abu-Jamal to establish his innocence; and further urges the Government to make representations to the United States Federal and state authorities urging their abolition of the death penalty.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.