- Target:
- The British / Australian Governments
- Region:
- Australia
- Website:
- breakermorant.com
JUSTICE DENIED – THE TRIALS OF LIEUTENANTS MORANT, HANDCOCK AND WITTON DURING THE BOER WAR - 1902
I first became involved in this case in 2009. I am a lawyer of 30 years experience in military law, appearing as counsel in courts martial and in civilian courts.
I was concerned about the prosecution and sentencing of these three Australians for alleged war crimes. I studied the case in detail and concluded that the men were not tried in accordance with the law of 1902, had suffered great injustice and serious errors were made in the administration of justice. I believe they were not guilty of the offences of shooting prisoners of war.
On 27th of February 1902, Morant and Handcock were executed by firing squad. George Witton was sentenced to life imprisonment, but was released from prison in August 1904 following protests by the Australian and South African governments, British Members of Parliament, including Winston Churchill and a petition signed by 80, 000 Australians.
There are aspects of the Courts martial proceedings that raise concerns about the fairness, legal process and sentencing of Morant, Handcock and Witton. After doing my own investigations of the evidence, the circumstances that led to the Courts Martial and constructing points of appeal, I sent petitions to the Queen and the Australian Parliament. The case for review has been rejected by the British government. I am currently preparing a case for judicial review but also lobbying the Australian Government to instigate an independent review
I think there are very strong grounds for posthumously overturning the verdicts, quashing the sentences, granting pardons and restoring justice that was denied to these men.
Details about the case can be viewed at www.breakermorant.com
This petition is a chance for the public to help change history. A well-supported petition will send a strong message to the Australian and English Governments that the Australian people feel that its time justice was finally done in this matter. Anyone can contribute to this case by signing the on line petition below.
On behalf of the descendants of Morant, Handcock and Witton, thanks for your support of this important case:
Please note my views about this matter are my own, authored as an individual and do not necessarily represent the opinons of the Australian Defence Force and Australian government
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian and British Governments to overturn the convictions of Morant, Handcock and Witton and grant Crown pardons to the men, thereby delivering justice that has been denied to them and their descendants since 1902.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Justice for 'Breaker' Morant petition to The British / Australian Governments was written by james unkles and is in the category Justice at GoPetition.