Statement by Greek activists, academics, writers and students
Save the life of the Indian writer and activist Varavara Rao!
Varavara Rao, a poet, a writer, an activist and an advocate of democratic and social rights for decades against the arbitrariness of Indian governments, has been jailed for almost two years along with ten other activists, lawyers, journalists, etc.
They are all accused of inciting violent incidents in the Bhima Koregaon case, a charge that is considered false, while the government for the last two years has failed to prove the charges in court to start the trial. The conditions in the prisons, where these prisoners of conscience are being held, are said to be unhealthy and the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic spreading has increased the risks. Varavara Rao, at the age of 80, has been tested and proved to be positive for COVID-19 and has many concomitant illnesses. His condition reveals the absolute neglect of his health by the prison authorities. We join our voices with academics from all over the world, intellectuals, journalists, members of the Indian Parliament, international humanitarian organizations, the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and others, and we demand the immediate release of Varavara Rao and the other pre-trial imprisoned activists of the same case.
Signed by
Aggeli Dialekti, Journalist
Aggelidis Dimitris, Journalist
Arkolakis Manolis, Historian, Member of Collaborating Teaching Staff, Greek Open University
Choumerianos Manolis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Daskalopoulos Antonis, Journalist
Daskalopoulou Ntina, Journalist
Droukas Giorgos, Journalist
Gerotziafas Grigoris, Academic, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris
Gravaris Dionisis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Grollios Giorgos, Academic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Groui Eleni, Journalist
Kafaraki Eleftheria, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the Film School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Kaltsonis Dimitris, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Kandilioti Kostoula, Lawyer
Kimpouropoulos Giannis, Journalist
Kouzis Giannis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Manos Dimitris, Teacher, Author
Mavridis Heraklis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Michalakis Kostas, Teacher, Historian, Author
Mpaskakis Giannis, Journalist
Nikolaou Alkaios, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the Film School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Nitsa Zoi, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Papageorgiou Stavros, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Papatheodorou Christos, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Papavasileiou Nikos, Teacher, Member of the Executive Secretariat of the Prefectural Department of ADEDY Samos
Pavlidis Dimitris, Economist, Member of the Solidarity Committee, Thessaloniki
Rousis Giorgos, Emeritus Professor of Panteion, Athens
Sakellaropoulos Spiros, Academic, Panteion University, Athens
Smirlakis Giannis, Journalist
Tessi Giota, Journalist
Triggos Michalis, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Tsakiroglou Tasos, Journalist
Tsiaras Giorgos, Journalist
Tziantzi Afroditi, Journalist
Tzima Stavroula, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Zafeiropoulos Kostas, Journalist
Zormpala Tina, Academic, University of the Aegean