Equity's General Secretary has joined more than 170 actors, lawyers and academics as a signatory on an open letter backing MP Kim Johnson's Joint Enterprise Bill which is due to have its second reading in Parliament today (02 February).
The Bill, introduced by the Liverpool Riverside MP, seeks to change the wording of the current law in which an individual can be jointly charged with the crime of another if the court decides they foresaw that the other party was likely to commit that crime and intended to encourage or assist them. The current interpretation "encourage or assist" has been used to convict defendants not present at crime scenes, including reported victims of coercive relationships, with life sentences such as manslaughter and murder.
Kim Johnson has kick started a campaign which highlights the depths of structural racism within the justice system. Such injustice affects all of us who want a society where there is truly equal treatment under the law. Under our motto of ‘To all people: Equity’, it’s a privilege to support this campaign as we live our mission as an anti-racist union.
Paul W Fleming, Equity General Secretary
Recent data has shown that young black men are disproportionally convicted under this law, with black people 16 times more likely to be jailed for homicide or attempted homicide under Joint Enterprise than white people. Equity are backing the bill as part of a wider commitment to action against racism.
The open letter notes: "It is possible both to uphold the law by providing power to prosecute those who play a significant role in a crime, and to prevent innocent people from going to jail. This Bill aims to do just that".
Commenting, Equity General Secretary , Paul W Fleming said:
‘Kim Johnson has kick started a campaign which highlights the depths of structural racism within the justice system. Such injustice affects all of us who want a society where there is truly equal treatment under the law. Under our motto of ‘To all people: Equity’, it’s a privilege to support this campaign as we live our mission as an anti-racist union."
