More than 850 British nationals are currently being detained in prisons around
the world, often without being given clear dates for a trial.
The Foreign Office has launched a campaign to highlight the traumatic
consequences of being caught using, possessing or smuggling drugs in foreign
countries.
Some employ a zero-tolerance approach which results in strict penalties for
those convicted. Indonesia is one example, having sentenced a 57-year-old
British grandmother this year to death by a firing squad for being caught
with cocaine in a suitcase.
Two young British women are currently
facing a minimum of six years in prison in Peru if found guilty of charges
of cocaine smuggling.
The Prisoners Abroad charity said it is currently supporting 80 Britons
between the ages of 18 and 30 held on drugs offences and that two-thirds of
the detainees are still waiting for the charges against them to be heard in
court. The other third are serving sentences that range from a year to
nearly 39 years.
Many tourists “continue to be astonished” by some of the penalties handed down, Mark Simmonds, minister for consular affairs, said.
“In the last year alone consular staff handled over 650 drug-related cases. When it comes to drugs our message is clear – don’t take risks, the consequences are simply not worth it.”
In many countries, men and women find themselves without access to food, clean water and the most basic of medical care, according to Pauline Crowe, chief executive of Prisoners Abroad.
She urged people to consider the unsanitary conditions, overcrowded cells and the constant threat of disease before getting involved in drugs and said prisoners “may have to live through these conditions for many, many years.”
Sample sentences (source: the Foreign Office)
Thailand
Possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment. If you are found guilty of being in possession of a small quantity of marijuana you are risking a prison sentence and a heavy fine. If you are found guilty of being in possession of in excess of 20 grams of a Class A drug you would be deemed as a trafficker and could potentially be sentenced to death.
United Arab Emirates
Sentences for drug trafficking for possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum 4-year jail sentence. The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.
Peru
More than 30 British nationals are currently in prison in Peru for drugs offences. Drug smugglers face long terms of imprisonment.
Indonesia
Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy and those caught face lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty, usually after a protracted and expensive legal process.
Many tourists “continue to be astonished” by some of the penalties handed down, Mark Simmonds, minister for consular affairs, said.
“In the last year alone consular staff handled over 650 drug-related cases. When it comes to drugs our message is clear – don’t take risks, the consequences are simply not worth it.”
In many countries, men and women find themselves without access to food, clean water and the most basic of medical care, according to Pauline Crowe, chief executive of Prisoners Abroad.
She urged people to consider the unsanitary conditions, overcrowded cells and the constant threat of disease before getting involved in drugs and said prisoners “may have to live through these conditions for many, many years.”
Sample sentences (source: the Foreign Office)
Thailand
Possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment. If you are found guilty of being in possession of a small quantity of marijuana you are risking a prison sentence and a heavy fine. If you are found guilty of being in possession of in excess of 20 grams of a Class A drug you would be deemed as a trafficker and could potentially be sentenced to death.
United Arab Emirates
Sentences for drug trafficking for possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum 4-year jail sentence. The Emirati authorities count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.
Peru
More than 30 British nationals are currently in prison in Peru for drugs offences. Drug smugglers face long terms of imprisonment.
Indonesia
Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy and those caught face lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty, usually after a protracted and expensive legal process.
No comments:
Post a Comment