Soldier who said no to war in Afghanistan loses appeal
Soldier Joe Glenton, who was court martialled for refusing to fight in Afghanistan, and for speaking out at anti-war demonstrations, has lost his appeal against his prison sentence.
By Chris Nineham
Stop the War Coalition
21 April 2010
On 21 April 2010, soldier Joe Glenton lost his appeal against his prison sentence in a shameful ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice. The judges decided that Joe's diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder was not serious enough to justify his refusal to return to Afghanistan.
John Tipple, Joe Glenton’s lawyer, said, "To hear the court re-diagnose Joe's condition was absolutely sickening." There are many soldiers in a similar position to Joe Glenton, morally opposed to the war in Afghanistan and wanting to speak out. The ruling is an attempt by judges and army officials to ensure soldiers are discouraged from expressing dissent by making an example of Joe.
Every day Joe has been in prison is too long. He had the honesty to speak out against the war and now he is being punished. Stop the War will do everything it can to continue to campaign for him and we send him our warmest support.
The soldier who said no to the war in Afghanistan: background
Joe delivers letter to prime minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street
Joe joins landmark demonstration against the war in Afghanistan
"Why I'm defying orders to join the Stop the War demonstration", by Joe Glenton
Soldier sentenced to nine months for refusing to fight in Afghanistan
The soldier who said no to war in Afghanistan: cruel treatment
Joe Glenton, has received cruel treatment at the hands of military prison staff, following his court martial and sentence to nine months imprisonment.
The prison authorities have tried to force him to sleep under an unwashed or dirty blanket - a punishment that often leads prisoners to get body lice - and to wear boots despite the fact he has broken his toe.
He has also received no treatment for his Post Traumatic Stress disorder despite the fact that the judge who sentenced him assured the court he would receive treatment in prison.
Joe faced a disciplinary hearing on Thursday 8 April after he hacomplained that he was not receiving books sent by supporters. He was accused of insulting an officer, which he denied. The authorities refused his lawyers' application that he be represented at the disciplinary hearing.
Joe refused to accept the 'blanket treatment', part of a punishment called One Bravo, despite threats of solitary confinement.
Joe's mother Sue Glenton said: "We are seriously concerned for his welfare. This kind of bullying and victimisation is simply unacceptable. It is hardly going to help his mental state."
John Tipple, Joe's legal caseworker, said: "This kind of treatment is from the 19th century not the 21st. We are determined to test its legality in court at the first opportunity. The military should not be allowed to get away with this cruel and degrading treatment."
Most people in Britain oppose the war in Afghanistan. It is extraordinary that Joe Glenton, already being punished for his anti-war views by a nine month prison sentence, is now being picked on by the military in prison.
You can email your protest about the prison's treatment of Joe to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Send messages of support to:
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Letters:
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Military Corrective Training
Berechurch Hall Camp
Colchester CO2 9NU, UK
Joe would welcome any books for him to read while in prison.
Politicians have waged war for the past nine years against the wishes of most people in Britain. When we cast our votes we need to know where the candidates stand in the coming election on this key issue. Our email survey takes only one or two minutes to contact the candidates in your area.
Lobby your candidates now...
|
