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Category: Statements

Human rights bodies must intervene to help Shoma Sen, Sudha Bharadwaj get medical bail

Human rights bodies must intervene to help Shoma Sen, Sudha Bharadwaj get medical bail

National Herald / by Satyaki Chakraborty

The situation has got precarious with COVID infection spreading in their barrack in Mumbai’s Byculla Jail. The Stan Swamy case should not be allowed to be repeated.
Bhima Koregaon accused activists Shoma Sen and Sudha Bharadwaj who are languishing in the Byculla Jail of Mumbai after being accused of conspiracy against the state by the National Investigating Agency(NIA), are facing a serious danger to their lives. At least 20 persons have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 at Byculla women’s jail, according to Koel Sen, daughter of activist Shoma Sen.
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Human chain formed in Tamil Nadu seeking release of prisoners in Bhima Koregaon case (pictures)

Human chain formed in Tamil Nadu seeking release of prisoners in Bhima Koregaon case (pictures)

Human chain formed in Tamil Nadu seeking release of prisoners in Bhima Koregaon case

15/09/2021

The Hindu / by Staff Reporter

‘It is a protest against stifling of all voices for democratic rights’
The arrest of thinkers, social activits and writers in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case is not just a blantant violation of human rights, but a threat to intellectuals who speak against Hindutva forces, said Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan on Wednesday.
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Activists Form Human Chains to Demand Release of Bhima-Koregaon Detainees

15/09/2021

Newsclick / by Neelambaran A

Left, youth, Dalit and human rights organisations in Tamil Nadu slam the BJP government for muzzling dissent.
More than 25 Left, youth, Dalit and human rights organisations in Tamil Nadu formed human chains on the International Day of Democracy on Wednesday to protest the illegal detention of intellectuals and activists, including in the Bhima-Koregaon case, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
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Also read:
● 95% pendency of trial of UAPA cases, 85% cases pending investigation: NCRB report (Sabrang / Sep 16, 2021)

● Anyone who exposes the agenda of Sangh Parivar is silenced: Thirumavalavan (The Hindu / Sep 15)

In pictures

Pictures shared by Era.Athiyamaan / @EraAthiyamaan
Pictures shared by CPI (M) / @cpimspeak
Pictures shared by SimpliCityCoimbatore / @simplicitycbe

Release Bhima-Koregaon Prosoners Immediately – Release All Political Prisoners

NIA’s draft chargesheet against Elgar Parishad accused smells foul

NIA’s draft chargesheet against Elgar Parishad accused smells foul

People’s Review / by People’s Review

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a draft chargesheet before a special court in Mumbai against 15 arrested and six absconding accused in the Elgar Parishad case. Surprisingly, the NIA has dropped the charge of conspiracy to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the accused and replaced it with a conspiracy to kill a “public functionary”. The NIA’s draft chargesheet against Elgar Parishad accused isn’t merely gibberish but stinks of naked vengeance.
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India Must Stop Criminalising the Defence of Human Rights: UN Special Rapporteur

India Must Stop Criminalising the Defence of Human Rights: UN Special Rapporteur


Drawing by Arun Ferreira

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

Mary Lawlor speaks to The Wire about the situation of human rights defenders in the country, the use of repressive laws by the government and more.
On May 1, 2020, Mary Lawlor, a Dublin-based human rights expert with over four decades of experience engaging in human rights work, took up the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) at the United Nations. Along with her work globally, Lawlor has been closely following the deteriorating human rights conditions in India and feels the country has repeatedly failed to protect the rights and interests of HRDs in the country.
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Also read: Pegasus Reports Highlight Need for Better Regulation of Spyware: UN Rights Chief (The Wire, Aug 20)

Opposition to Hold Joint Protests across India against Modi Govt from September 20 to 30

Opposition to Hold Joint Protests across India against Modi Govt from September 20 to 30

The Wire / by pti

The Opposition’s demands include an SC-monitored probe into the Pegasus issue and a high-level probe into the Rafale fighter jets deal, a repeal of three farm laws and early polls in J&K.
The leaders of 19 Opposition parties announced on Friday that they will organise joint protests and demonstrations across the country from September 20 to 30, even as they urged people to save India for a better tomorrow.
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Their full statement

…
10. Release all political prisoners, including those under draconian UAPA in Bhima Koregaon case and anti-CAA protests.

Click to enlarge

Planted Evidence and the BK 16 – Citizens’ Statement Demands Immediate Release

Planted Evidence and the BK 16 – Citizens’ Statement Demands Immediate Release

Planted Evidence and the BK 16 – Citizens’ Statement Demands Immediate Release

18/08/2021

KAFILA / by concerned citizens

We, the undersigned, condemn the continued incarceration of the academics, cultural activists, human rights activists, lawyers, poets and trade unionists arrested in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case and unitedly demand their immediate release. After three years of media trial, harassment, raids and arrests of 16 persons, one of the arrested, Father Stan Swamy died on July 5th following wanton medical neglect in custody amounting to institutional murder.
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The Steep Fall Of Dissent In India

18/08/2021

Feminism in India / by Mansi Bhalerao

The current socio-political discourse in India is such that it primarily focuses on instances of inter-religious and inter-caste violence and the activities of political and social organisations that are characterised as communal or casteist. Such a discourse is complacent and ignores the larger political and social structures that give birth to communalism and sectarian political and social organisations. However, the rising violence vis-à-vis institutional murders, unlawful arrests of activists and wide-spread communalism in India are calls to delve into the structural nature of casteism and communalism in India, in the light of dissent.
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Former Civil Servants Say UAPA’s ‘Flaws and Loopholes’ Allow Abuse, Call For Replacement

Former Civil Servants Say UAPA’s ‘Flaws and Loopholes’ Allow Abuse, Call For Replacement

Former Civil Servants Say UAPA’s ‘Flaws and Loopholes’ Allow Abuse, Call For Replacement

17/08/2021

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

The Constitutional Conduct Group said that the “harsh amendments” that the anti-terror law has gone through in recent years has made it “draconian, repressive, and amenable to gross misuse”.
Over 100 former civil servants have endorsed an open letter by the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) which calls for the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to be amended, saying as it stands today, the law has “many flaws and loopholes making it amenable to large scale abuse and misuse by some politicians and overzealous policemen”.
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Government must replace the UAPA, safeguarding personal liberties

16/08/2021

By Constitutional Conduct Group

Open Letter: Government of India must replace the UAPA with legislation that fights terrorism while safeguarding personal liberties

Dear Citizens of India,
We are a group of retired officers of the All India and Central Services who have worked with the Central and State Governments in the course of our careers. As members of the Constitutional Conduct Group, we believe in impartiality, neutrality and commitment to the Indian Constitution and in safeguarding its values.
We are writing this in the matter of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) that violates the Constitutional guarantees of citizens’ fundamental rights…
The most shocking of the arrests under the UAPA have been of persons accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case. Several well regarded activists who have fought throughout their lives for the rights of tribal people and other oppressed groups have been arrested as terrorists and, even today, languish in jail.
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Tributes to Stan Swamy / Daily wage earners vow to follow Father Stan Swamy’s ideals

Tributes to Stan Swamy / Daily wage earners vow to follow Father Stan Swamy’s ideals


Bilaspur, Aug 14

Daily wage earners vow to follow Father Stan Swamy’s ideals

17/08/2021

The Telegraph / by Animesh Bisoee

The spontaneous decision was taken during a resolution meeting organised by Jharkhand Krantikari Mazdoor Union at Adivasi Basti in Kadma
Daily wage earners in one of the urban slums in the steel city took a resolve to follow the ideals of Father Stan Swamy on the country’s 75th Independence Day on Sunday.
The spontaneous decision was taken during a resolution meeting organised by Jharkhand Krantikari Mazdoor Union (JKMU) at Adivasi Basti in Green Park, Kadma.
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TN Assembly condoles demise of Stan Swamy, Aadheenam

17/08/2021

The New Indian Express / by Express News Service

The members of the House observed silence as a mark of respect for the departed souls.
The State Assembly on Monday condoled the demise of human rights activist Stan Swamy, Periyarist V Anaimuthu, Madurai Aadheenam Arunagirinathar, Tamil scholar Ilankumaranar, Dr S Kameswaran and nine former MLAs including Tindivanam K Ramamurthi and E Madhusudanan.
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An artistic tribute to tribal activist Father Stan Swamy

16/08/2021

The Times of India / By The Times of India

A collection of artists came together on Independence Day in a virtual performance to honour Father Stan Swamy, the 84-year-old Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist who passed away in a Mumbai hospital on July 5 after being jailed in the Elgar Parishad case.
‘Kelvi Koothu’ or Dirge for Democracy, a two-hour event, had a line-up which included gaana artist G Isaivani of the Casteless Collective who was included in the BBC’s top 100 women list of 2020 and others like Gana Muthu, Muniammal, Kachha (Dholak), Citizens’ Choir, Kattiyakaari, Kalaimamani Muthuchandran’s Tholpaavai troupe, Rithvik Raja and Praveen Sparsh.
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Video: A dirge for Democracy (Justice Rocks)


tamil | 1h 58min | 2021

By Vettiver Collective

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Happy Independence Day is a greeting, a celebration, an opportunity to renew our commitment to safeguarding the Constitution of India and a reminder that democracy survives only if citizens actively thwart moves to curtail freedom. #Kelvi Koothu or Dirge for Democracy is that satirical, artistic reminder that a passive citizenry will herald the death of democracy. #FatherStan #IndependenceDay #August15 Catch the fantastic artist line up of Gana Muthu, Muniammal, G. Isaivani, Kachha (Dholak), Citizens’ Choir, Kattiyakaari, Muthuchandran’s Tholpaavai troupe, Rithvik Raja and Praveen Sparsh at #KelviKoothu.
Watch video

Happy Birthday Prof. Hany Babu (poster)

Happy Birthday Prof. Hany Babu (poster)

by Dalit Camera

+++ Happy Birthday Prof. Hany Babu
Arrested on July 28, 2020, Hany Babu is an anti-caste activist, spending his second birthday in jail for a crime he did not commit.
+++ He and his co-accused are fighting “planted evidence”, the brutal UAPA, Covid in prison conditions and the “institutional murder” of Fr. Stan Swamy.
Stand with Prof. Hany Babu.
Demand for the freedom of BK-15.

Also read: If you are in a university and oppose state policy, you can be targeted: Hany Babu, DU professor (The Caravan, Nov 2019)