Petition Government should intervene with the italian government over the jailing of scientists

Scientists have been jailed for manslaughter for failing to predict the earthquake which caused much death and devestation in the region of L'Aquila in 2009.

Earthquakes are inherently unpredictable.

The ability of scientists to make predictions founded on the scientific method without fear of persecution is essential not only to the principle of freedom of speech, but underpins the advancement of our scientific knowledge. Almost 500 years after the imprisonment of Galileo it is inconceivable that the same thing should be happening in italy today.

This petition calls on the government to urgently contact the italian government to discuss the release of these scientists, and to publicly denounce their imprisionment.