Make a difference - get involved!

A lot of times I'm getting asked how people who just don't have much time could help.

Naturally there are many ways to get involved - join one of the Anti-Death-Penalty-Groups, donate some money, write articles, stay informed and pass the information on, etc.... And a lot of these things don't cost much time, one doesn't have to have many skills etc and all of it is extemely important!

But there is one thing just everyone can do, even without a lot of time and even without having much money: sign petitions and pass them on!

There are many petitions on the internet and surely most of them are very important but unfortunately I don't have the space to write about all of them here, so let me just highlight some of them:

Jose Medellin

Jose Medellin, a mexican national, has an execution date for August 5th.

He was never advised by Texas authorities of his right as a detained foreign national to seek consular assistance, as required under article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR). Because of this treaty violation, José Medellín was deprived of the extensive assistance that Mexico provides for the defence of its citizens facing capital charges in the USA.

On 31 March 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Avena and Other Mexican Nationals that the USA had violated its VCCR obligations in the cases of José Medellín and 50 other Mexican nationals on death row in the USA.

On 25 March 2008, in Medellín v. Texas, the Supreme Court unanimously found that the ICJ’s Avena decision “constitutes an international law obligation on the part of the United States.” The Court also unanimously agreed that the reasons for complying with the ICJjudgment were “plainly compelling,” since its domestic enforcement would uphold “United States interests in ensuring the reciprocal observance of the Vienna Convention, protecting relations with foreign governments, and demonstrating commitment to the role of international law.”

However, a 6-3 majority ruled that the ICJ’s decision “is not automatically binding domestic law”.

On 14 July 2008, a bill known as the Avena Case Implementation Act was introduced in the US House of Representatives. Under its terms, José Medellín and other affected foreign nationals would be granted access to “appropriate remedies” through the domestic courts for VCCR violations, including the reversal “of the conviction or sentence, where appropriate.” The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review, but insufficient time remains for it to be passed into law before Medellín’s scheduled execution. Similar legislation is expected to be introduced in the Texas Legislature when it reconvenes in early 2009.

Jeff Wood

Jeff Wood is due to be executed in Texas on August 21st.

Jeff did NOT kill anyone, he was charged under the Law of Parties, and was not the shooter in this crime. Jeff could not anticipate that a murder would occur. The actual shooter in this case has already been executed by the state of Texas.

Also there were some severe errors in his trial, his trial was not fair and he has been diagnosed with mental illnesses dating back to his childhood.

Kevin Young

Kevin Young is scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma on August 21 for a killing during a robbery that went "amiss", despite the absence of proof that he actually fired the fatal shot. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 4-1 to grant him clemency and Governor Brad Henry granted a 30-day stay to consider his decision. Urge the Governor to accept this recommendation and grant clemency to Kevin Young.

Note Fri, July 25th: Gov. Brad Henry approved clemency for Kevin Young yesterday - his sentences got commuted to life without the possibility of parole.

Greg Wright

Greg Wright has been given an execution date of September 9th in spite of passing a polygraph examination and of being excluded from the jeans and murder weapon used to convict him by DNA testing.

Troy Davis

Restrictions on Federal appeals have prevented Troy Anthony Davis from having a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him, despite the fact that most of the witnesses have since recanted, many alleging they were pressured or coerced by police. Troy Davis remains on Georgia death row, and may be scheduled for execution in the near future.

On Monday, March 17, 2008, the Georgia Supreme Court decided 4-3 to deny a new trial for Troy Anthony Davis, despite significant concerns regarding his innocence. This stunning decision by the Georgia Supreme Court to let Mr. Davis’ death sentence stand means that the state of Georgia might soon execute a man who may well be innocent.

On July 10th, 2008, even the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on Georgia to commute the death sentence of Troy Davis.

Please just click on the names above to follow the links to more information and to the petitions!

There are so many more petitions out and I'm definitely sorry that I can't list them all - as today, there are 27 executions scheduled only for this year!

Please get active! Get involved!