The trial of 11 Breton nationalists on a variety of charges related to alleged paramilitary activity is due to get under way in just over a months time in Paris.
In some instances the detainees have been held for over four years and there have been repeated assertions that the charges against them are politically motivated and doubts about the impartiality of any trial they will receive.
The French government is already in breach of International law because of the delay in bringing the case to Court.
Article 14 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights sets out clearly (paragraph 3c) that;
"In the determination of any criminal charge against him, everyone shall be entitled to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:
To be tried without undue delay".
Obviously the delay in bringing this case to Court is a breach of this human rights provision. The delay is also clearly designed to compromise the defence.
Bernard Moffatt
Secretary General
23/01/04
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries of the western British Isles and Brittany. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It targets human rights abuse
and monitors all military activity within these areas
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