B4-0499, 0542 and 0557/94

Resolution on clemency for Leonard Peltier

The European Parliament,

A.recalling Mr Leonard Peltier's role in promoting respect for the human rights of Native Americans,

B.whereas in 1977 Mr Peltier was convicted and sentenced to two life sentences for the murder of two FBI agents in South Dakota in June 1975,

C.whereas Amnesty International has repeatedly expressed its concern about the trial which led to Mr Peltier's conviction; whereas he was found guilty on evidence which secured the acquittal of three other persons involved in the death of the two FBI agents,

D.whereas Mr Peltier has been supported in his efforts to obtain a new trial by most of the world's religious leaders and, in addition, many members of the House of Representatives have filed a brief on his behalf,

E.whereas US Senator Daniel Inouye has proposed a Congressional hearing in order to clarify the circumstances which led to Mr Peltier being charged with murder,

F.concerned at the repeated refusal to reopen Mr Peltier's case or order a retrial,

G.whereas a petition for presidential clemency was submitted in November 1993 and a decision is expected in the near future,

1.Notes that Mr Peltier has exhausted all the appeal procedures under US law and urges presidential clemency or commutation of Mr Peltier's sentence;

2.Calls for an investigation of the juridical improprieties involved in Mr Peltier's conviction;

3.Instructs its Delegation for relations with the United States to include Mr Peltier's case on its next agenda;

4.Welcomes Senator Inouye's initiative and instructs its delegation to keep a watching brief on developments;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the United States Congress and Senate, and the President of the United States.