Akmal Shaikh must not be forgotten

 The execution of fifty three year old Akmal Shaikh has touched the lives of many in the United Kingdom. Up until the official announcement of his execution at 10.30am on the 29th December, many held on to the belief that clemency would be granted.

Unfortunately this would not be the case and a family in the North of London were left devastated by the loss of a man who was a father, brother, cousin and friend.

On Sunday last I witnessed a group of peaceful protestors gathered outside the Chinese Embassy to pay respect to Mr. Shaikh. Many of the protestors had been left disillusioned by the outrageous movement by the Chinese Government to execute a clearly mentally ill man.

These demonstrators stood along side a member of the Falum Gong Movement who was also peacefully protesting. The Falum Gong Movement has been the target of merciless human rights persecution for several years in China.

The reality of the human rights situation in China hit home deeply as I watched. Behind the borders of one of the greatest nations in the world lie the tales of brutality and injustice.

Akmal Shaikh died alone and is buried in a country that is foreign to him . We cannot let his death be in vain and we must continue the fight to ensure that vulnerable people like Akmal are given a fair trial.