Murderers launch campaign for freedom based on their human rights
Three murderers who were expected to die in jail have launched a campaign for freedom based on their human rights and the European Court of Human Rights has agreed to hear the cases.
By Andy Bloxham, Daily Telegraph, 12:59AM GMT 26 Feb 2011
Jeremy Bamber, Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter - who killed 11 men between them and were each given "whole life" tariffs - claim their sentences amount to "inhuman or degrading treatment" and breach their right to a fair trial.
The court's decision to hear their views is likely to anger both Parliament and the victims' families. The House of Commons is already in a battle with Europe over prisoners' rights, after it voted to maintain the ban on their voting against the orders of Brussels.
If the court, which is in Strasbourg, rules in their favour, all 41 of the prisoners serving the whole life terms would be eligible to claim for release. The list could include Ian Brady, the Moors Murderer, Rose West and Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper.
Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary, told the Daily Mail: "It goes without saying that the Government will be fighting the case vigorously and defending the principle of the whole life tariff. A small number of prisoners' crimes are so appalling that judges rule that they should never become eligible for parole."
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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