Dear Editor and Readers,

Not only I was indignant about the disproportionnal life sentence-verdicts regarding the failed 21-7 London bombings,also I was shocked by the nearly unanimous British and international consent with this verdict

To protest against this and to refer to the generally acknowledged legal distinction between a crime and an attempt, I have sent underlying letter to the Editor to a number of British and international papers

Kind regards

Astrid Essed
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Letter to the Editor,

Dear Editor,

I've learnt with concern about the recent long-life imprisonment-verdict of four men, in respect with the failed terrorattacks in London, dd 21-7-2005
The argumentation of the judge, referring to the possible number of victims in a real terroristic attack, is no valid, since the horrible event didn't take place

Since the four convicted men didn't actually commit the crime, the verdict is in contrary with the principle, that distinction should be made between the actually committed crime and a failed attempt, which has caused no victims.
Ignoring this principle, is a violation of the fundamental human rights, on the ground of discrimination or unequal treatment, since the length of their conviction is as long, or longer, than real killers.

Since this verdict is a result of common British law (in contrary with a number of European and international countries, which do make the distinction between crime and attempt), also defendants, who are being accused of attempts to murder of a non-terroristic character, can be equally verdicted to long-life imprisonment


As well in the case of terrortrials, as in trials regarding ''regular'' crimes it is of the utmost importance, to act according to the principes of human rights

Is to be recommended, that the British lawsystem will be revised, making a distinction, in punishment, between an attempt and an actually committed murder


Astrid Essed
Amsterdam
The Netherlands