PRESS RELEASE 29.6.2004

"This case is fundamentally important to expose police impunity, but it's also part of our ongoing struggle against the neoliberal politics of the G8 which create horrendous suffering for both people and planet." Gesine explained.

1st June 2003 Evian two anti-G8 activists were almost killed when the Swiss police cut the rope where they were hanging at 20 metres above the ground. Yesterday a court case took place in Nyon, Switzerland where three activists were found guilty of endangering the lives of drivers. The police responsible testified as witnesses against them. Olivier was sentenced to 20 days and Gesine for 10, suspended for 2 years, and ordered to pay court costs.

International press, lawyers from all over Europe, European Parliamentarians, and the mother of Carlo Giulliani, gathered at court to highlight the Aubonne case, which criminalizes protest and guarantees police impunity. The International Committee of Lawyers, stated that the charge of endangering life was exaggerated, and that police themselves had endangered life. The court heard of the thorough safety measures taken by the group to inform drivers, and that they were experienced climbers doing a very well prepared action.

In his declaration before the court, the policeman in charge on the bridge admitted that the he had known the climbers were there, that the communication between the police on the bridge had been extremely limited and that he had not spoken to the activists at all.

Martin Shaw, (British, 39, Electrician) one of the activists on trial, stated that this case, in which the police are clearly guilty, provides a microcosm of the injustice that is replicated worldwide where states of the G8 misuse the law to their own advantage. "This is part of an attempt to brutalize and intimidate those that resist them. Peaceful protest is becoming an act of terrorism under new EU legislation and it is truly terrifying to see the increasing repression of dissent."

Over 100 people gathered outside the court house yesterday to show their support including a delegation of international lawyers, who are working together to defend human rights. They affirmed that they will not be deterred by the increasing repression or its physical and traumatic consequences, but will continue to strengthen an anti-repression network in preparation for the G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland 2005.

For more information and interviews call Gesine Wenzel 00 41 0786836405, (French, English, German, Spanish.) Jean-Pieree Garbade, (lawyer) 0223295752. (French, German English.)

Further information and quotations.

David Hammerstein, Euro Green MP from Spain expressed his and other MEP deep concern for the actions of the Swiss authorities and said yesterday they had “their heads in the sand” over police brutality and freedom of speech.

This echoes the concerns expressed by Amnesty Interanational in their report on repression during the G8 in Evian last year, - AI press release: Switzerland/G8: Allegations of human rights violations must be investigated (AI Index: EUR 43/003/2003), 5 June 2003 - AI public document: Concerns in Europe and Central Asia: January - June 2003 - extract from the entry on Switzerland (AI Index: EUR 01/016/2003)


Heidi Guilliani, who came straight from the beginning of the trial against the police in Genoa, “Martin and Gesine were lucky but there must be an end to police impunity before more lives are lost.”


From
The Aubonne Bridge Campaign, 29.6.2004, 16:00
www.aubonnebridge.net
 aubonne@no-log.org