The Injustice Must End (TIME)

News Release Committee to Free Efrén Paredes, Jr.

For Immediate Release P.O. Box 858 • Battle Creek, MI 49016

E-mail: info@4Efren.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Web Site: www.4Efren.com
Blog: http://4Efren.blogspot.com
Media Contact: Twitter: http://twitter.com/Free_Efren
Wendy Kenin
Phone: 510.504.4937
E-mail: green.doula@gmail.com

BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS JUVENILE LIFE WITHOUT

PAROLE (LWOP) SENTENCES AS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, the Berkeley City Council in California passed a resolution condemning the life
without parole (LWOP) sentence imposed against Efrén Paredes, Jr. as a human rights violation. The imposition of
LWOP sentences on children contravenes several international treaties.

As of February 2008 the USA is the only country in the world currently imposing LWOP sentences on children. It
is a shameful sentence that abandons the concept of redemption and ignores the reality that children possess the
capacity to change. LWOP sentences are also being meted out to children of color in a grossly disproportionate
manner.

Some of the treaties LWOP sentences for juveniles violates include the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the
Administration of Juvenile Justice; United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency;
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Paredes is a 35-year-old Latino former high school honor student who was arrested at age 15 for a murder and
armed robbery. The evidence used to convict him was circumstantial and included the testimony of other juveniles
who sought to minimize their involvement in the crime to receive reduced sentences. The crime occurred in 1989 in
St. Joseph, Michigan (Berrien County), USA.

The Paredes case has garnered international attention. The case has been presented to the United Nations Human
Rights Commission on two occasions, and Paredes was featured in the ACLU of Michigan juvenile LWOP report,
"Second Chances." His photo also appeared on the cover of the national juvenile LWOP report jointly released by
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, "The Rest of Their Lives."

There is currently a commutation request for Paredes pending in the State of Michigan. A public hearing was held
by the Parole Board on December 4, 2008 to consider the request. The Parole Board could issue a recommendation
to Michigan Governor Granholm any day now. The Governor will render the final decision.

Bills seeking to abolish juvenile LWOP sentences were introduced in the Michigan Senate on January 29, 2009. If
passed, the imposition of LWOP sentences on juveniles would desist in the State of Michigan, and juveniles who
received LWOP sentences would one day become eligible for parole consideration. Passage of the bills in itself will
not result in the release of any prisoners.

By passing the resolution, the Berkeley City Council joins the chorus of voices in the international community who
have universally condemned juvenile LWOP sentences. They recognize that sentencing children to die in prison
is an unconscionable act which is diametrically opposed to the evolving standards of decency in a civilized
society.

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