Fair Trials International
Encyclopedia
Fair Trials International (FTI) is a UK-registered non-governmental organization which works for fair trials according to international standards of justice and defends the rights of those facing charges in a country other than their own.
Fair Trials International provides individual legal assistance through its casework practice. It also builds local legal capacity through targeted training, mentoring and network activities.
for drug smuggling.
Fair Trials International has provided assistance on several high profile cases including the case of English nanny Louise Woodward who, in 1997, was arrested in America for murder, after the death of a baby in her care. Woodward was found guilty of second degree murder, although her sentence was reduced on appeal as the court found that there was no malice in Louise’s actions and that “allowing this defendant on this evidence to remain convicted of second-degree murder would be a miscarriage of justice.” In 2007, 10 years later, the key prosecution witness reversed his evidence stating: “the science we have today could, in fact, have exonerated Louise. There is certainly, in retrospect, reasonable doubt.”
Other high-profile, notable cases include
Ian Stillman
: In August 2000, deaf charity worker Ian Stillman was arrested in India for smuggling 20 kilograms of cannabis after the drug was found in a shared taxi. He has always maintained his innocence. Fair Trials International campaigned for his release and in 2002 he was finally released after spending 2 years in prison.
Greek Plane Spotters: In November 2001, a group of 12 British and two Dutch
plane spotters were arrested on charges of espionage
after taking notes during an open day at a Greek Air Force base. They were found guilty in 2002. The Greek courts overturned the conviction on appeal.
Ghana Girls: In July 2007, two 16 year old girls, Yetunde Diya and Yasemin Vatansever, were arrested for possession of 6 kilograms of cocaine
at Accra
airport in Ghana
. The girls claimed they did not know they were carrying drugs. With help from Fair Trials International, the girls received only a one year prison sentence instead of the maximum 3 year sentence.
, as well as the European Investigation Order
Fair Trials International provides individual legal assistance through its casework practice. It also builds local legal capacity through targeted training, mentoring and network activities.
History
Fair Trials International was founded by lawyer Stephen Jakobi in 1992 (under the name Fair Trials Abroad) as a response to the case of Karen Smith, a British citizen arrested in ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
for drug smuggling.
Casework
Fair Trials International assists around 500 individuals each year and provides assistance in approximately 50 cases at any one time. It uses a network of lawyers and diplomatic, political and media contacts to advocate on behalf of clients. It does not charge clients for the service it offers.Fair Trials International has provided assistance on several high profile cases including the case of English nanny Louise Woodward who, in 1997, was arrested in America for murder, after the death of a baby in her care. Woodward was found guilty of second degree murder, although her sentence was reduced on appeal as the court found that there was no malice in Louise’s actions and that “allowing this defendant on this evidence to remain convicted of second-degree murder would be a miscarriage of justice.” In 2007, 10 years later, the key prosecution witness reversed his evidence stating: “the science we have today could, in fact, have exonerated Louise. There is certainly, in retrospect, reasonable doubt.”
Other high-profile, notable cases include
Ian Stillman
Ian Stillman
Ian Stillman is a British charity worker and missionary from Reading, Berkshire, in the United Kingdom whose imprisonment and subsequent release from prison in India garnered media attention...
: In August 2000, deaf charity worker Ian Stillman was arrested in India for smuggling 20 kilograms of cannabis after the drug was found in a shared taxi. He has always maintained his innocence. Fair Trials International campaigned for his release and in 2002 he was finally released after spending 2 years in prison.
Greek Plane Spotters: In November 2001, a group of 12 British and two Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
plane spotters were arrested on charges of espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
after taking notes during an open day at a Greek Air Force base. They were found guilty in 2002. The Greek courts overturned the conviction on appeal.
Ghana Girls: In July 2007, two 16 year old girls, Yetunde Diya and Yasemin Vatansever, were arrested for possession of 6 kilograms of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
at Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
airport in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. The girls claimed they did not know they were carrying drugs. With help from Fair Trials International, the girls received only a one year prison sentence instead of the maximum 3 year sentence.
Campaigns, research and lobbying
Fair Trials International also conducts campaigning, research and lobbying activity, using evidence from its casework to identify problems in the administration of justice and the protection of fundamental rights. It conducts research into access to justice and fundamental rights and uses the results to lobby for reform, including the European Arrest WarrantEuropean Arrest Warrant
The European Arrest Warrant is an arrest warrant valid throughout all member states of the European Union . Once issued by a member state, it requires the receiving member state to arrest and transfer a criminal suspect or sentenced person to the issuing state so that the person can be put on...
, as well as the European Investigation Order
European Investigation Order
In April 2010, a group of seven Member States has put forward a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters , which would replace the existing legal framework applicable to the gathering and transfer of evidence...