ckaihatsu
16th August 2011, 00:20
GUADELOUPE: ILC Statement on Verdict in Trial of 3 UGTG Unionists
ILC Statement on Verdict in Trial of 3 UGTG Unionists
The International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples (ILC) has just received the communiqué of the General Union of Guadeloupan Workers (UGTG) dated August 9, 2011, regarding the verdict in the trial of three UGTG activists: Gabriel Bourguignon, Freddy Louise and Michel Madasamy
The International Liaison Committee is pleased to note that the workers' and democratic rights' mobilizations in Guadeloupe and internationally compelled the authorities to drop the charges against Gabriel Bourgignon and Freddy Louise.
It considers it a miscarriage of justice, however, that Michel Madasamy was sentenced to a three-month suspended prison sentence. The sentence issued by the court in Pointe-à-Pitre on August 9, 2011, violates the most elementary rules of justice.
The International Liaison Committee supports the UGTG in affirming that:
"It took years of discovery to come to the realization that there was never any attempted arson, nor were the lives of others endangered. and nor was there any rebellion against the police. Yet our comrades were beaten, abused and portrayed as criminals, as terrorists. This verdict confirms that this was a premeditated case by the authorities to demonize and criminalize the UGTG for its union activities."
This verdict against Michel Madassamy is nothing but sheer revenge against a recognized and respected union militant. There is simply no basis for any prison sentence whatsoever; the charge that he allegedly injured 16 armed policemen -- a charge that even the police do not support -- is groundless and without merit.
The International Liaison Committee believes that the charges dropped against two unionists of the UGTG represents a first successful step in the struggle, and insists, yet again, that all charges against Michel Madassamy and other UGTG unionists must be dropped immediately and that the authorities must put an end to their acts of repression against the UGTG.
-- International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples (ILC)
(August 11, 2011)
ILC Statement on Verdict in Trial of 3 UGTG Unionists
The International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples (ILC) has just received the communiqué of the General Union of Guadeloupan Workers (UGTG) dated August 9, 2011, regarding the verdict in the trial of three UGTG activists: Gabriel Bourguignon, Freddy Louise and Michel Madasamy
The International Liaison Committee is pleased to note that the workers' and democratic rights' mobilizations in Guadeloupe and internationally compelled the authorities to drop the charges against Gabriel Bourgignon and Freddy Louise.
It considers it a miscarriage of justice, however, that Michel Madasamy was sentenced to a three-month suspended prison sentence. The sentence issued by the court in Pointe-à-Pitre on August 9, 2011, violates the most elementary rules of justice.
The International Liaison Committee supports the UGTG in affirming that:
"It took years of discovery to come to the realization that there was never any attempted arson, nor were the lives of others endangered. and nor was there any rebellion against the police. Yet our comrades were beaten, abused and portrayed as criminals, as terrorists. This verdict confirms that this was a premeditated case by the authorities to demonize and criminalize the UGTG for its union activities."
This verdict against Michel Madassamy is nothing but sheer revenge against a recognized and respected union militant. There is simply no basis for any prison sentence whatsoever; the charge that he allegedly injured 16 armed policemen -- a charge that even the police do not support -- is groundless and without merit.
The International Liaison Committee believes that the charges dropped against two unionists of the UGTG represents a first successful step in the struggle, and insists, yet again, that all charges against Michel Madassamy and other UGTG unionists must be dropped immediately and that the authorities must put an end to their acts of repression against the UGTG.
-- International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples (ILC)
(August 11, 2011)