EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AMR 32/03/91

Distr: UA/SC

15 August 1991

PLEASE BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR IN YOUR SECTION

Further information on UA 265/91 (AMR 32/01/91, 1 August 1991), and follow-up AMR 32/02/91, 9 August 1991 - Death Penalty

GRENADA:Callistus Bernard

Bernard Coard

Leon Cornwall

Lester Redhead

Ewart Layne

Liam James

The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy has recommended that the Governor General COMMUTE the death sentences of the 14 prisoners convicted of the murder of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others, including those named above who were the subject of UA appeal 265/91. It is understood that the Governor General will act on this recommendation.

The decision to commute the death sentences was announced in a radio broadcast given by the Prime Minister on the evening of 14 August 1991.

According to reports of this broadcast, the Prime Minister said that the measure was being taken in a spirit of reconciliation and that the government had received appeals from churches, human rights groups and people from around the world. The Prime Minister also said that a similar recommendation would soon be made with regard to other prisoners on death row.

Amnesty International wishes to thank all those who sent appeals.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Airmail letters, faxes or telexes should be sent warmly welcoming the Grenadian Government's decision to commute the above death sentences in Grenada.

APPEALS TO:

1.

Joan Purcell

Designated Minister Advisory

Committee on the Prerogative

of Mercy

[Salutation: The Honourable Joan

Purcell]

Ministry of Tourism, Civil

Aviation and Women's Affairs

St George's, Grenada

Telexes:3422 MINTCA GA

2.

The Honourable Nicholas Brathwaite

Prime Minister

[Salutation: The Honourable

Nicholas Brathwaite]

Botanic Gardens

St George's, Grenada

Telexes:3457

Faxes:+809 440 4116

3.

Dr Francis R Alexis

Attorney General, Minister of

Legal Affairs and Local

Government

[Salutation: The Honourable Dr

Francis Alexis]

Ministry of Legal Affairs

Botanical Gardens

St George's, Grenada

4.

Sir Paul Scoon

Governor General

[Salutation: Dear Governor

General]

Government House

Upper Lucas Street

St George's, Grenada

Telexes:3423 GRENEX GA

(attn: Governor General)

Faxes:+809 440 4184

and to diplomatic representatives of Grenada in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS AS SOON AS YOU CAN.