Satpal Ram
Encyclopedia
Satpal Ram is a British
man of Asian descent who was charged and convicted of killing another man named Clarke Pearce in Birmingham
, England
during a fight in 1986. His case has drawn some controversy due to alleged mistreatment by the courts and the British prison system due to his racial background.
did not meet with him and only saw him for about forty minutes before the trial. The jury was claimed to have also missed vital evidence because no interpreter was provided to translate for a Bengali-speaking waiter who had been present at the incident. It is also alleged that the judge was to have said he would interpret but also that he couldn't speak the Bengali language
. Artists such as Primal Scream
and Asian Dub Foundation
have championed Ram's cause.
Other reports of Ram being beaten, starved, repeatedly strip-searched, and being made to spend large periods of time in solitary confinement also arose, resulting in accusations of racism
within the criminal justice system.
The protest for Ram's release from prison involved a song by the Asian Dub Foundation
entitled "Free Satpal Ram".
on parole in June 2002. His initial release as recommended by the parole board in 2000, was overturned by the Home Secretary at the time, Jack Straw
. His release in 2002 resulted from a European Court of Human Rights
ruling which stated that government executives such as the Home Secretary had no right to overrule a decision of a parole board.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
man of Asian descent who was charged and convicted of killing another man named Clarke Pearce in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
during a fight in 1986. His case has drawn some controversy due to alleged mistreatment by the courts and the British prison system due to his racial background.
Background
According to Satpal Ram, he and two friends visited a restaurant in November 1986. While there, an altercation broke out among Ram and his two friends and another group of 6 people also in the restaurant. The argument, which was initially over Asian music being played on the restaurant's radio system became a physical fight. One of the party of 6, Clarke Pearce, was taken to hospital with knife wounds and later died. Consequently, Satpal Ram was arrested for murder and convicted in 1987.Controversy
Later debate and controversy arose among the British media when it was alleged that his barristerBarrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
did not meet with him and only saw him for about forty minutes before the trial. The jury was claimed to have also missed vital evidence because no interpreter was provided to translate for a Bengali-speaking waiter who had been present at the incident. It is also alleged that the judge was to have said he would interpret but also that he couldn't speak the Bengali language
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
. Artists such as Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
and Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation are a British electronica band that plays a mix of rapcore, dub, dancehall and ragga, also using rock instruments, acknowledging a punk influence...
have championed Ram's cause.
Other reports of Ram being beaten, starved, repeatedly strip-searched, and being made to spend large periods of time in solitary confinement also arose, resulting in accusations of racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
within the criminal justice system.
The protest for Ram's release from prison involved a song by the Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation are a British electronica band that plays a mix of rapcore, dub, dancehall and ragga, also using rock instruments, acknowledging a punk influence...
entitled "Free Satpal Ram".
Release
Satpal Ram was released from Blantyre House PrisonBlantyre House (HM Prison)
HM Prison Blantyre House is a Category C/D men's prison, located on the outskirts of Goudhurst in Kent, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.-History:...
on parole in June 2002. His initial release as recommended by the parole board in 2000, was overturned by the Home Secretary at the time, Jack Straw
Jack Straw
Jack Straw , British politician.Jack Straw may also refer to:* Jack Straw , English* "Jack Straw" , 1971 song by the Grateful Dead* Jack Straw by W...
. His release in 2002 resulted from a European Court of Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
ruling which stated that government executives such as the Home Secretary had no right to overrule a decision of a parole board.
External links
- Satpal Ram on www.innocent.org.uk - Archive of articles by the British newspaper "The Guardian" regarding Satpal Ram.
- Satpal Ram on www.writesite.org.uk - Satpal Ram writes about his case in the book Judge For Yourself How Many are Innocent by LA Naylor (Roots Books, 2004) on pages 196 - 227. The book covers other alleged and proven miscarriages of justice in the UK.