Commute the overly harsh prison sentences of cricketers Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif, and Salman Butt

Rt Hon Kenneth Clark,Secretary of State for JusticeDear Mr. Clarke,We are taking this opportunity to petition you on behalf of all cricket lovers in Pakistan and across the world, who have been greatly saddened by the unfolding saga and now conviction of the Pakistani cricketers in the spot fixing scandal.1. The illegal and unethical conduct of Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif cannot be condoned in any way. What they have done has brought disrepute and shame to the game and the country they represent.2. For their misconduct, their careers have effectively ended with loss of prestige and honour.3. The fact that they have lost their livelihoods and cannot play cricket at any level is befitting punishment. As Mike Atherton, the former English captain aptly notes, ‘Their careers are over, what more do people want?’ A number of other prominent sportsmen have voiced their concerns and termed these custodial sentences as overly harsh.4. While the judge confessed to having a soft spot for Mohammed Aamir, he still sent him off to the notorious Young Offenders’ Prison at Feltham. Given the fact that Mohammad Aamir had already confessed and all three have undergone extreme mental anguish and pain, these sentences are undoubtedly the work of a puritanical and unforgiving mind.5. It would be pertinent to remember that the prison to which Mohammad Aamir has been incarcerated is a notorious one. As a matter of fact, it has been reported that a young prisoner of Pakistani origin was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate in 2009 in this very prison. However unpalatable it may sound, British prisons are generally notorious for racially motivated fights and discrimination. Feltham is populated by violent young prisoners who frequently indulge in vicious fights. Caging Mohammad Aamir with these hardened young criminals will serve no purpose apart from putting his life in jeopardy.6. The convicted players were an immense source of joy for cricket followers all over the world. While Asif is a bowler with exceptional guile, Aamir is a rare talent now lost to the cricketing world. That cricket lovers shall never again be able to witness his exceptional talent on display is a truly punishing thought.7. For the sake of the great pleasure that these cricketers have brought to the cricketing world, it is petitioned that their sentences be pardoned. For all those who are baying for the blood of these sportsmen, we say: they have already paid for their ill deed, have lost their livelihoods and suffered enough, and without doubt, their sentences are harsh and disproportionate to the crime they have committed. Their white collar crime has managed to land them in jail with hardened criminals – this will benefit no one and will, in fact, be counterproductive. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to ask them to perform community service training young cricketers.8. On behalf of all sport lovers, we petition you, Mr. Secretary, to commute their sentences.