Death penalty campaign success story

2.38.03pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Apr 2008

London's Lib Dem MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has welcomed news that British citizen, Le Manh Luong has had his death sentence in Vietnam commuted to life imprisonment.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, who has campaigned alongside the charity Reprieve on behalf of Mr Luong, has previously called for a universal moratorium on the death penalty. Speaking from Brussels Sarah said:

"I am very pleased that the President Triet has responded to representations and acted to change Mr Luong's sentence. This act signals to the world that Vietnam is a country which takes its international partners seriously and it should be applauded for its decision.

"Regardless of crimes, the death sentence should never be considered an appropriate punishment. This success story is only one step in achieving an international end to the use of the death penalty and I hope that the clemency shown in this case encourages others to follow suit."