War resister Joe Glenton
Use this form to send the letter below to the relevant authority (Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth). You can add your own notes in a separate box after the standard text, if you wish. You must include a name, address, and email address; a copy will be sent to you with a cc to the WRI office (so we have a record of how many email letters have been sent out for this particular case).
Dear Bob Ainsworth,
I am very concerned about the arrest of Lance Corporal Joe Glenton on charges of "disobeying a lawful order" for speaking at an anti-war demonstration and to the media, expressing his opposition to the war in Afghanistan.
The human rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of expression are protected both under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and under the European Convention on Human Rights, both of which have been ratified by the United Kingdom. When speaking at an anti-war demonstration in London on 24 October, and to the media, Joe Glenton made use of his right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
The restrictions of these rights as enshrined in the UK Armed Forces Act 2008 are in violation of both, the ICCPR and the ECHR, in as much as they are not "necessary in a democratic society". In expressing his opposition to the war in Afghanistan, Joe Glenton did not reveal "operational secrets" or any other sensitive information - he expressed his personal political opinion, which is his protected human right. Not Joe Glenton's actions were unlawful, but the orders given to him.
I therefore call on you to drop all charges against Joe Glenton, and to immediately release him from prison. I urge you to respect human rights.
- Sign and send this protest email