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The critical need for free legal representation and legal advice There are several hundred prisoners under sentence of death in Caribbean and African countries who are at risk of execution. They do not have the financial resources to challenge their convictions at the appeal stages, or to establish violations of their domestic and international human rights. Broadly speaking, legal aid remains very limited in capital cases, and is generally unavailable to those seeking redress in constitutional or international proceedings. The project therefore works with a number of dedicated and committed lawyers in Caribbean and African countries in providing expert support on international and comparative law as it relates to the death penalty. The project's critical relevance lies in addressing a considerable number of miscarriages of justice, and establishing violations of domestic and international human rights. The consequences are that the death penalty is less likely to be imposed or, where imposed, is less likely to be carried out. The legal representation and support provided by the project has saved the lives of many men and women who would otherwise almost certainly have been executed by hanging. Impecunious prisoners under sentence of death and without legal aid, have been able to pursue the criminal, constitutional and international remedies they are entitled to. Since 1992, more than 50 prisoners under sentence of death who have not had fair trials and are victims of miscarriages of justice have had their convictions quashed. In recognition of the difficulty of operating a death penalty system within the bounds of international law, the mandatory death penalty has been removed in eight Caribbean countries, to a large extent as a consequence of litigation undertaken by this project. |
