Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Queen's Park councillor Ben Duncan has intervened to try to get four Copenhagen protesters home for Christmas.
Mr Duncan's intervention came after it emerged that four Greenpeace activists were being held in a Copenhagen jail for protesting at a VIP dinner for world leaders.
The four, none from Denmark, are reportedly being held in solitary confinement ahead of a court apperance after Christmas.
Mr Duncan has asked the Danish Ambassador (1) to ensure the activists are released on bail, and allowed to go home for Christmas, before answering charges in the New Year.
"Let's remember, we're not talking about criminals, or someone suspected of dishonesty.
"The real villains, those to blame for the collapse of the Copenhagen climate talks, were sat at the table inside.
"I have asked the ambassador to ensure they are released on bail and trusted to return to Copenhagen to try to justify their actions."
In his letter to the Danish Ambassador, Mr Duncan describes the Danish authorities' reaction to the protest as "disproportionate, and possibly therefore a breach of the protestor's human rights."
Mr Duncan's letter also said: "I hope you will agree with me that this is a grossly disproportionate response to a non-violent protest - and that you will be able to intervene to ensure the four campaigners are released on bail in order that they are able to spend Christmas with their friends and family.
"I understand they will return to Copenhagen when required to stand accountable in court for the actions, which they undertook for the highest of moral reasons.
"I hope to be in a position to look favourably, and with compassion and a sense of justice, on any similar requests I receive myself, as a member of Sussex Police Authority and of Brighton and Hove Council.
Notes:
(1) Ambassador Birger Riis-Jørgensen
Full details of the case can be found at:
For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.
Join The Discussion