MR LORRAIN OSMAN

That this House notes with acute concern the plight of Mr Lorrain Osman who, on 6th December in Brixton Prison, commenced his seventh year of incarceration on remand and unconvicted of any crime and held since 5th December 1985; notes that Mr Osman faces another two years on remand whilst the Hong Kong authorities collect further evidence they claim is required for any prosecution to commence despite the six years that they have already had to prepare their case; notes that the time already served by Mr Osman is the equivalent of a sentence in excess of 12 years and also exceeds the period of incarceration served by many offenders sentenced to life imprisonment, and that his detention without trial is an appalling reflection of the exercise of the duty imposed upon the state to protect the citizen's most treasured right of liberty; and calls upon the Home Secretary to exercise his powers to forthwith end the extradition process and restore Mr Osman to freedom.