IMPRISONMENT OF HAKAMADA IWAO

Early day motion 188, tabled 24 November 2009 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 25 members.

That this House denounces the injustice of the imprisonment of Hakamada Iwao who has been in jail on death row in Japan for 41 years for a crime he did not commit; condemns the fact that for 29 of these years Mr Iwao was in solitary confinement which has led to him suffering from mental illness; highlights that he was convicted in 1968 for the murder of a family of four on the basis of a confession he says was extracted under duress and which he retracted at his trial; notes that of the three judges at Mr Iwao's trial, one has publicly stated that he believes Mr Iwao is innocent; and calls on the Japanese government to end this injustice immediately and give Mr Iwao the fair trial which he deserves.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 9, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.