"It has been suggested by government representatives that these matters rest solely with the independent judiciary. This is not fully true. While decisions on bail are rightly made by the courts, we understand that the attorney general or the director of public prosecutions could notify defence counsel that should a fresh application for bail be made, the government will cooperate in bringing it promptly before the high court and will not oppose a grant of bail."
"Human Rights Watch urges you to take immediate steps to review the length and conditions of pre-trial detention faced by Ms Muraisi and other protesters, and to make clear that the government will not stand in the way of urgent judicial consideration of bail of those direct action protesters who have been detained beyond the maximum limit. Responsibility for preventing foreseeable loss of life in state custody, especially by those held beyond maximum government guidelines, cannot be disclaimed."
Human Rights Watch challenges ministers' claims that they cannot intervene in judicial matters concerning Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners and hunger strikers. The attorney general or director of public prosecutions could notify defence counsel that the government will cooperate in bringing fresh bail applications promptly before the high court and will not oppose bail. Heba Muraisi, 31, is on day 73 of a hunger strike, matching the duration reached by Kieran Doherty in 1981. Grave concern exists over continued pre-trial detention, deteriorating health, and the need for immediate review of detention length, conditions, and clear government non-opposition to urgent judicial bail consideration.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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