Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA have welcomed the decision to commute the life sentence of native American rights activist Leonard Peltier.
Mr. Adams said, “After spending almost 50 years in prison for a crime he has consistently denied, Leonard Peltier’s life sentence has been commuted by President Biden and he is being released to spend his remaining time with his family.
“For decades many people, including Nelson Mandela & President Mary Robinson, have lobbied for Leonard to be pardoned. He is now 80 years old and suffers from several severe health issues. The decision to commute his sentence is welcome.”
South Antrim MLA Declan Kearny said, “I welcome President Biden’s decision to commute the life sentence of native American rights activist Leonard Peltier; this has been a long awaited decision.
“At 80 years of age, Leonard Peltier is one of the longest serving political prisoners in the world having served nearly fifty years in US federal custody.
“Leonard’s refusal to be criminalised for five decades is a testament to his unbreakable spirit and resilience.
“Despite being a victim of a great miscarriage of justice, Leonard’s commuted sentence now allows him to serve the remainder of his sentence at home.
“This decision comes as a result of lobbying by campaigners in the US and across the international community, including leaders like Nelson Mandela, over many decades. All of their efforts deserve to be recognised.
“President Biden’s move has reversed a great injustice and a stain on the US judicial system.”
