112
tinued detention without trial, Secretary General Martin Ennals wrote letters on 15 November 1974 to individual Ministers of Justice in each of the Länder where Baader-Mainhof prisoners have been detained, urging them to examine the allega tions of ill-treatment and to consider adjusting legislation in view of their pro- longed detention without trial. The replies he received stated that the conditions in West German prisons had been improved and compared favourably with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
In an attempt to break the deadlock which had developed between the pris- oners, then on hunger strike, and the authorities, a private mission of mediation was undertaken by Reverend Paul Oestreicher, Chairman of Al's British Section. In a public statement, confirmed by the International Executive Committee, Reverend Oestreicher said on 16 December 1974: "In the opinion of Amnesty International ...at the present time the allegation of so-called torture by isolation is not justified...As such, the organization cannot intervene. That Amnesty International is ready and willing to help find a solution in the present crisis is demonstrated by my presence [in Germany]."
To assist Al groups working on German conscientious objectors, of whom three were adopted this year and many more are under investigation, a compre- hensive background paper was prepared by the Research Department. Two of the adopted conscientious objectors were soon reported released from detention as a result of publicity in the German press. They are determined pacifists who refuse to wear uniform and use arms.
An Eritrean student, who regards himself as a political refugee but whom the authorities accused of alleged drug smuggling, was also adopted. Adoption of four foreign workers from Turkey is also being considered on the grounds that they have been detained for one year
without proper indictment.
These two examples are disquieting signs that West Germany is showing increasing reluctance to grant political asylum to applicants from third world countries.
Greece
The most important event of the past year in Greece was the fall in July 1974 of the military regime which, in various guises, had ruled the country since April 1967. One of the first acts of Constantine Karamanlis, the new Prime Minister, was to release all the political prisoners (approximately 350). In a cable of congratulations to Mr Karamanlis, Amnesty International Secretary General Martin Ennals urged him to establish an official inquiry into the torture of prisoners over the past seven years. Subsequently, in letters to members of the new government who were former political prisoners, the Secretary General renewed his appeal for an inquiry into torture and also for the rehabilitation and compensation of victims of torture. In November 1974 three of Al's former adopted prisoners, Constantinos Alavanos, Stelios Nestor and Gerasimos Notoras, came from Greece to attend a working party in London organized by the Campaign for the Aboliton of Torture (see chapter on Campaign).
Jehovah's Witnesses who are still imprisoned in Greece because of their refusal to perform military service continue to be a matter of concern to AI.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.