This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/jan/31/lindsay-sandiford-uk-bali-drugs

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bali drugs: UK government accused of breaching Lindsay Sandiford's rights Bali drugs: UK government accused of breaching Lindsay Sandiford's rights
(35 minutes later)
The government's failure to provide an "adequate" lawyer to represent a British woman sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling is a breach of her rights, the high court has been told.The government's failure to provide an "adequate" lawyer to represent a British woman sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling is a breach of her rights, the high court has been told.
Lindsay Sandiford, 56, from Cheltenham, will face execution by firing squad unless she is successful in appealing against the sentence. She has no money for a lawyer, the court heard, and under two weeks to file a complicated defence document in Indonesian, a language she does not speak.Lindsay Sandiford, 56, from Cheltenham, will face execution by firing squad unless she is successful in appealing against the sentence. She has no money for a lawyer, the court heard, and under two weeks to file a complicated defence document in Indonesian, a language she does not speak.
Lawyers from the firm Leigh Day working with the charity Reprieve, which supports those on death row, are seeking judicial review of the Foreign Office's decision not to pay out the estimated £2,500 needed to hire legal representation in Bali. The application is being heard by Mrs Justice Gloster and Mrs Justice Nicola Davies.Lawyers from the firm Leigh Day working with the charity Reprieve, which supports those on death row, are seeking judicial review of the Foreign Office's decision not to pay out the estimated £2,500 needed to hire legal representation in Bali. The application is being heard by Mrs Justice Gloster and Mrs Justice Nicola Davies.
Sandiford was sentenced to death by a court on the Indonesian island last week for carrying 10.6lb (4.8kg) of cocaine, sewn into the lining of her suitcase, into Bali. She has been told she will face a firing squad. Sandiford was sentenced to death by a court on the Indonesian island last week for carrying 4.8kg (10.6lb) of cocaine, sewn into the lining of her suitcase, into Bali. She has been told she will face a firing squad.
She was accused by the court of damaging the image of Bali and received the sentence despite prosecutors only asking for a 15-year jail term. The high court was told that a notice of appeal was filed with Indonesian officials earlier this week. She has now been given a 14-day deadline to file more detailed grounds of appeal.She was accused by the court of damaging the image of Bali and received the sentence despite prosecutors only asking for a 15-year jail term. The high court was told that a notice of appeal was filed with Indonesian officials earlier this week. She has now been given a 14-day deadline to file more detailed grounds of appeal.
Aidan O'Neill QC, for Reprieve, said Sandiford was urgently in need of funding because she is currently without legal assistance and her family have exhausted all of their available resources.Aidan O'Neill QC, for Reprieve, said Sandiford was urgently in need of funding because she is currently without legal assistance and her family have exhausted all of their available resources.
Richard Stein, a partner in Leigh Day's human rights team, said: "The government has a duty to ensure that the human rights of British citizens are protected and that those sentenced to death, or suspected of or charged with a crime for which capital punishment may be imposed, have adequate legal assistance at all stages of the proceedings.Richard Stein, a partner in Leigh Day's human rights team, said: "The government has a duty to ensure that the human rights of British citizens are protected and that those sentenced to death, or suspected of or charged with a crime for which capital punishment may be imposed, have adequate legal assistance at all stages of the proceedings.
"This judicial review will challenge the government's refusal to fund the £2,500 in expenses it would cost for a qualified Indonesian lawyer to represent Lindsay in her appeal against execution by firing squad which will take place on the beach in Bali if the government do not act.""This judicial review will challenge the government's refusal to fund the £2,500 in expenses it would cost for a qualified Indonesian lawyer to represent Lindsay in her appeal against execution by firing squad which will take place on the beach in Bali if the government do not act."
Sandiford's sister, Hilary Walker, said: "We desperately need the help of the British Foreign Office to ensure that Lindsay has a lawyer." Sandiford's sister, Hilary Parsons, said: "We desperately need the help of the British Foreign Office to ensure that Lindsay has a lawyer."
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said the Government does not fund legal representation for British nationals abroad but added that Sandiford's case was being raised through diplomatic channels. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said the government does not fund legal representation for British nationals abroad but added that Sandiford's case was being raised through diplomatic channels.
A spokesperson said: "We strongly object to the death penalty and continue to provide consular assistance to Lindsay and her family during this difficult time. It was through consular staff's efforts in Indonesia that we were able to identify a lawyer who is prepared to assist Lindsay Sandiford with her appeal on a pro bono basis [although he requires costs of approximately £2,500 in order to travel to Bali in order to assist]. A spokesperson said: "We strongly object to the death penalty and continue to provide consular assistance to Lindsay and her family during this difficult time. It was through consular staff's efforts in Indonesia that we were able to identify a lawyer who is prepared to assist Lindsay Sandiford with her appeal on a pro bono basis (although he requires costs of approximately £2,500 in order to travel to Bali in order to assist).
"It is disappointing that at this time, when the FCO should be focusing on assisting Lindsay as best we can, we are having to divert considerable resources to contesting this legal challenge.""It is disappointing that at this time, when the FCO should be focusing on assisting Lindsay as best we can, we are having to divert considerable resources to contesting this legal challenge."