Press Releases & Updates 1999
29th November 1999
Trident Ploughshares Open New Legal Front
Greenock Trial Advocate Brings In European Law
|
Today in Helensburgh District Court four Trident Ploughshares activists
claimed that their entitlement under the European Convention of Human
Rights to protest peacefully had been infringed by being prosecuted for
breach of the peace. Their case was adjourned to allow the legal debate to
take place.
Barbara McGregor (32) and Brian Quail (61) from Glasgow, along with Jane
Tallents (41) and Eric Wallace (63) from Helensburgh, had taken part in a
blockade of Faslane nuclear submarine base on 22nd April. By chaining
themselves across the gateway they had for 30 minutes prevented personnel
from entering the base.
Advocate John Mayer, who led the legal team which made history at Greenock
Sheriff Court with the acquittal of the "Trident Three", argued that the
judgement of the European Court of Human Rights on the 24th November, when
anti fox hunting demonstrators had their right to protest peacefully
upheld, had strong relevance for the case. He pointed out that the
Convention had been incorporated into Scottish law by article 57 of the
Scotland Act.
A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said:
"One Scottish court has already agreed that protesters are justified in
taking direct action against the illegal Trident weapons system. We are
claiming that the Convention on Human Rights gives us a right not only to
march with banners but to intervene peacefully and non violently when we
know war crimes are being committed."
The legal debate will be held on 8th February 2000.
| 
Trident Ploughshares,
0845 45 88 366
Email addresses:
Printer friendly version
Home
