4WardEverUK

Untouchable elite seems ripe for reform

Police Paradeoriginally published by: The Guardian
1st April 2010

They are known as the “Muscle of the Met”, accused of being an untouchable elite who cover their badge numbers, treat the public with disdain and, most concerning of all, are virtually never held to account for their actions.

Senior officers at Scotland Yard acknowledge that the 730 officers in their territorial support group (TSG) have an image problem, but say it is cosmetic. They may have found themselves the subject of unflattering footage at the G20 protests, but their supporters point out they are deployed on the most volatile and potentially controversial operations, from stop and search to drug raids and demonstrations.

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Death Row Briton Linda Carty talks about her controversial conviction

Linda Cartyoriginally published by: The Daily Mail
4th April 2010

Since losing what may well be her last appeal in September, Linda Carty has had to deal with a lot of unsettling comments.

“They’ve come both from other inmates and guard’s; she says. “I hear them asking, “How come she’s still here? How come she hasn’t been executed?” All I can do is ignore it.

“Since the appeal, they’ve moved me to a cell that feels like it’s 115 degrees inside. My nose bleeds every day – sometimes I get through four T-shirts. The doctor said the reason is the heat.”

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Amnesty slams China for silence on execution toll

Prisoner Appeal on Death Roworiginally published by: Washington Post
29th March 2010

Amnesty International criticized China on Tuesday for failing to reveal the number of people it executed last year, which the rights group estimates is more than the rest of the world combined.

Iran had the second highest number of executions in 2009, Amnesty said in a new report, adding that about a third of the country’s 388 executions took place in eight weeks of turmoil following Iran’s disputed presidential election in June.

“The past year saw capital punishment applied extensively to send political messages, to silence opponents or to promote political agendas,” Amnesty interim secretary general Claudio Cordone said in a statement.

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