Red Tape obstructs Justice

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jun 2003

Just hours before a possible verdict, London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford claims that red tape and bureaucracy have helped sabotage British man Nick Baker's claim for a fair trial in Japan on drug-smuggling charges. The principal blame lies with the Japanese court and ministries which have refused to obtain crucial evidence in the case. But Sarah Ludford is also critical of the British government's failure to do more.

Hopes were raised when the Chiba Bar Association requested from Belgium evidence relating to Nick Baker's travel companion which would support Nick's claims of innocence. The Belgian government have said they could respond positively if there was assistance from the Japanese and British governments to fulfil legal formalities. The aim is to ensure a fair trial by obliging the court to look at all the evidence relating to Nick's claim that he was duped.

Sarah Ludford has appealed to the Foreign Office to make a last minute move to get the evidence before the court, even as time runs out. She said:

"As a consequence of an unfair trial compounded by bureaucratic obstruction, Nick Baker is facing 15 years in a Japanese prison cell. I am outraged that between them, the British and Japanese authorities have allowed red tape to stand in the way of justice. What value can we place on their commitments to uphold fair trial rights?

"Nick's mother Iris has left no stone unturned. As a private individual she has done investigations and discovered evidence such as to put the inadequate investigators and prosecutors in Japan to shame. All she needed was a bit of a helping hand from government. With all the resources at their disposal, they have badly let her and Nick down.

"This may have been Nick Baker's last opportunity for justice; I just hope the maintenance of good trade relations or award of juicy business contracts have not been allowed to torpedo it."