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Category: Repression

IDR Interviews Stan Swamy

IDR Interviews Stan Swamy

India Development Review (IDR) / by Sneha Philip and Smarinita Shetty

Stan Swamy [one of accused in the Bhima Koregaon case] is an activist, a social worker and a Jesuit priest who has spent many decades fighting for the rights of Adivasis in Jharkhand.
In this interview with IDR, Stan discusses the emergence and growth of people’s movements, his work with young Adivasi undertrials who are falsely accused of being Naxalites and the difficult choices that confront young Adivasis today.
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The Law Takes Its Slow Course

The Law Takes Its Slow Course

Outlook / by Preetha Nair

Lawyers and kin of jailed activists allege pre-trial punishment.
“It’s tough without him around. I am not hopeful of any positive outcome now,” says Meenal Gadling, wife of human rights lawyer Surendra Gadling, who has been languishing in Pune’s Yerawada jail for more than a year now.
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When Judicial Process itself becomes a Punishment

When Judicial Process itself becomes a Punishment

Groundxero.in / by P. Varalakshmi

The dictum of ‘natural justice’ that not a single innocent should be punished – is vanishing into thin air in gathering gales of fascism. Professor GN Saibaba is fighting death languishing in a dark and dingy cell, unable to procure legitimate medical requirements. Thousands of Adivasis are rotting behind the high walls of prison. While those actually involved in bomb explosions, murders and genocides, are coming out from within prison walls to be honoured with felicitations. Some are being given chance to be Parliamentarians too. Is India’s political power dictating what and how justice should be? Asks P. Varalakshmi.
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Sacrificing liberty for national security

Sacrificing liberty for national security

The Hindu / by Sanjay Hegde

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act could prove catastrophic for fundamental rights.
In Parliament this month, former Union Minister P. Chidambaram questioned the need for certain amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The Bill empowers the Central government to name any individual a terrorist if it believes him or her to be so.
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The UAPA Amendment And The Future Of Civil Liberties In A Constitutional Democracy

The UAPA Amendment And The Future Of Civil Liberties In A Constitutional Democracy

Youth Ki Awaas / by Nikhil Jois

Recently, the Home Minister Amit Shah introduced a legislation in the “people’s house” termed as the UAPA or Unauthorized Activities Prevention Act Amendment Bill 2019. The major change in the already existing law adds to the draconian characteristic which is carried by the law. The government intends to designate an individual as a “terrorist.” What’s more? The bill aims to designate an individual terrorist even before the accused be presented to the court for “due process” to prove someone a terrorist.
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Report: Coporate Loot And People’s Resistance In Niyamgiri

Report: Coporate Loot And People’s Resistance In Niyamgiri

Sabrangindia / by Sabrangindia

On August 18, the report titled “Corporate Loot and People’s Resistance in Niyamgiri” was released at the CDRO Convention on UAPA and other Draconian Law held in Jalandhar, Punjab. The report is an outcome of a joint fact-finding visit by a 16-member team from April 26-28, 2019 from All India Coordination of Democratic Rights Organization (CDRO) and Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan, Odisha (GASS) to villages of the Niyamgiri area in both Raygada and Kalahandi districts of Odisha. The team investigated into the death of the contract employee Dani Batra by the OISF on March 18 at the gate of Vedanta Aluminum Limited and also visited villages of the Dongria Kondhs to understand the major concerns of the people opposing mining of bauxite in their area and violation of their rights.
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Analysis | UAPA: Updated anti-terror law is likely to weaken Indian democracy

Analysis | UAPA: Updated anti-terror law is likely to weaken Indian democracy

pic: The Leaflet

The Leaflet / by Nivedhitha K

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 has been passed by the Parliament despite searing opposition to the inclusion of new provisions in the existing law. The Bill drew flak on two accounts. One, the new changes undermine human rights. Secondly, the amendments undermine the structure of Indian federalism.
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UAPA Amendment 2019: Petition challenges unilateral power to declare Individuals as Terrorists

UAPA Amendment 2019: Petition challenges unilateral power to declare Individuals as Terrorists

pic: sabrangindia

sabrangindia.in / by Sabrangindia

Just a week after the amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 was notified giving the Central Government power unilateral to designate an individual as “terrorist”, a Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court praying that it be declared unconstitutional.
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Law to brand individuals terrorists gets Rajya Sabha approval

Law to brand individuals terrorists gets Rajya Sabha approval

DNA / by Manan Kumar

The amendments have brought UAPA close to the USA’ Patriot Act that was enacted in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, which empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists, on Friday as the Opposition lost yet another battle in Parliament. Until now, the government could only designate organisations as terrorists.
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