With corona Virus frustrating our solidarity actions in the streets of our towns and cities we double our efforts through letter writing to support the freedom of Julian Assange. Find here letters written to various people and institutions.

Email to Bishop Richard Moth

I note with considerable interest that you have publicly warned that prisoners are at “particular risk” from the pandemic as he called for the government to “safely” release some prisoners, particularly those who are in vulnerable groups, including older, unwell and pregnant inmates.

You may be aware that non violent prisoners on remand are not eligible for early release under the recent considerations of the Ministry of Justice while those who are already sentenced are being released. The example I bring you is that of Julian Assange, imprisoned in HMP Belmarsh. He has been refused emergency bail and the Ministry of Justice says he does not fall into those who can be considered for release because he is not serving a custodial sentence.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6711654/uk-govt-wont-release-assange-amid-virus/

It appears that the ministry of Justice fails to see its own actions, ‘Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3
I note that in 2018 the Holy Father changed the approved changes to the compendium of Catholic teaching published under Pope John Paul II for a more humanitarian stance, “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” For prisoners in the category above by default the actions of the Ministry of Justice amounts to a death sentence.

I urge you to shine a light on this travesty for Julian Assange and all prisoners in this category.
I leave you with the words of Pope St. Gregory the Great, “The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.”

With kindest regards

Email the Pope.

Contact Pope Francis

Dear Holy Father,

Your role as leader of the Catholic Church has never been more demanding. I am aware that you have been praying for the most unfortunate including prisoners in Italy and elsewhere in the world. I call upon you to lend your influence and voice to the travesty that exists in UK prisons where those non violent prisoners on remand are not eligible for early release while those who are already sentenced are being released. This defies logic.

It appears that the plight of non violent prisoners on remand (innocent until proved guilty) and particularly those facing judicial hearings for extradition to foreign countries is being ignored while it is simultaneously acknowledged that Covid-19 will escalate though prisons. Julian Assange is imprisoned in HMP Belmarsh. He has been refused emergency bail and the Ministry of Justice says he does not fall into those who can be considered for release because eh s not serving a custodial sentence. I quote from Matthew 7:3 ‘Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” The Ministry of Justice appears to represent this fully.

I note that in 2018 the Holy Father changed the approved changes to the compendium of Catholic teaching published under Pope John Paul II for a more humanitarian stance, “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” For prisoners in this category by default the actions of the Ministry of Justice amounts to a death sentence.

I urge you to shine a light on this travesty in your twitter account; the world will listen, understand and embrace the championing of those shunned by society and governments. I leave you with the words of Pope St. Gregory the Great, “The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.”

Yours sincerely

Perhaps write to:

1.Lucy Frazer QC MP, Minister of State, Responsibilities:
Prison operations, policy, reform and industrial relations
Offender health lucy.frazer.mp@parliament.uk

2.Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform (blog)

How to contact them:

For general enquiries email info@howardleague.org
For legal advice call 020 7249 7373 (option 1)
For media enquiries contact:
Rob Preece, Campaigns and Communications Manager, Mobile: +44 (0)7714 604955, email: robert.preece@howardleague.org