The President of the United States of America,
C/o US Embassy Tokyo, Japan
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo,
Citizens' Association to Stop the Execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal
February 28, 2000
We are Japanese citizens and residents in Japan concerned about the case of Mr. Mumia Abu-Jamal, a renowned African American journalist who has been on Pennsylvania's death row for eighteen years since he was wrongly convicted of murder. As you know this case is no longer just an American issue, not to mention the Pennsylvania's problem, but one of the most urgent and important international human rights problems. We would like to add our voices to those of Amnesty International, The Pope, the European Parliament and millions of people all over the world calling for a new fair trial for him and stop the execution.
Much controversy surrounds the original trial, for example; the composition of the jury, the reliability of the witnesses, the competence of Mr. Abu-Jamal's original lawyers, and the holding back of physical evidence supportive of Mr. Abu-Jamal's defense. From all the information we could retrieve, we cannot help but feel the capital punishment may have been based on Mr. Abu-Jamal's race and his activities as a journalist.
It is a grievous problem when someone is executed for their political opinions and/or race. The American government often mentions the human rights' problems in other nations. Please do not miss the opportunity to set a good example. In addition, we also respectfully urge you to review the Amadou Diallo case. Four police officers who shot the African immigrant Mr. Diallo to death were reportedly acquitted on Friday. This is the shameful decision that damages irreparably the reliability to the judicial system in the USA.
We ask you to do anything in your power as the President of the USA to stop the legal murdering. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of the Japanese people who are concerned about the fate of Mr. Mumia Abu-Jamal
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ムミアの死刑執行停止を求める市民の会
私たちは、著名なアフリカ系アメリカ人ジャーナリストで、殺人の冤罪によって18年間ペンシルバニア州の死刑囚監房に入れられているムミア・アブ=ジャマールさんの事件を憂慮している日本人および日本在住の市民です。ご存知のとおり、この事件は、たんにペンシルバニア州だけの問題でないことは言うに及ばず、もはやアメリカ国内だけの問題ではなく、国際的に、もっとも緊急で重要な人権問題の一つです。
私たちは、あなたがアメリカ合衆国大統領として、合法的な殺人を停止するためにできる限りの努力をなさるようにお願いします。
あなたのご協力に、あらかじめお礼申し上げます。
ムミア・アブ=ジャマール氏の運命に心を寄せる人たちを代表して
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