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Greg Mulholland-Working Hard For Leeds North WestLeeds human rights campaigner addresses Parliamentary Group
May 24, 2011 4:57 PM
Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Abolition of the Death Penalty and Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland yesterday hosted Leeds human rights activist Amjad Hussain for a meeting of the Group.
Amjad is renowned for his work as a human rights campaigner, not least of which his 18 year battle to overturn the conviction of his brother in Pakistan, which succeeded in 2006. His brother was sentenced to death, but after a long campaign by Amjad alongside Greg, who as his MP at the time spearheaded the Parliamentary campaign.
Amjad addressed the Group, outlining his ongoing work to promote Human Rights and opposition to the death penalty. He will also meet with the Minister of the Foreign Office, Jeremy Browne, alongside Greg at a later date.
Greg commented,
"Amjad's work in promoting human rights and opposing the death penalty is nothing short of remarkable and his experiences and insights were of immense interest to the Group.
"It is a sad fact that even when 70% of the world has abandoned using the death penalty that countries as diverse and widespread as Pakistan, China, Iran and the United States of America all continue to sentence people to death."
"The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Abolition of the Death Penalty will continue to oppose capital punishment, wherever it is found, and work with organisations and individuals, like Amjad, who share our belief that the death penalty should never be used."
Amjad commented,
"To be invited to address the Parliamentary Group for the Abolition of the Death Penalty is a great opportunity to share experiences and campaign ideas."
"There is a long list of well documented cases of miscarriages of justice that haunt the courtrooms the world over. The possibilities of wrongful convictions are grave, and irreversible."