solidarity – Page 18 – free them all

Video: Freedom For Varavara Rao

05/10/2021 Asha

en | 1h 5min | 2021

By Irish PEN and Scottish PEN

Join Irish PEN, Scottish PEN, Wales PEN Cymru and guests as we share readings, translations and updates on the case of revolutionary Indian poet, Varavara Rao.
This event was chaired by Professor Ignatius McGovern and featured a rare opportunity to hear from Rao’s nephew, Venugopal Nellutla, who published ‘The Making of Varavara Rao: An Intimate Portrait by a Nephew’ in 2020. The event includes a variety of poetry and prose readings from Áine Ní Ghlinn, Professor Bashabi Fraser, Leela Soma, Ifor ap Glyn, June Considine and Kate Ennals.
Watch video

Mumbai: Release the Bhima Koregaon Prisoners

02/10/2021 Asha

By Dr Meena Kandasamy (Oct 1)
Rama Ambedkar at a gathering in Bombay today demanding release of #BhimaKoregaon prisoners. She spoke on the sudden change in the media narrative of the BK riots in 2018 and the conspiracy that ensued culminating in the arrest of Anand Teltumbde and 15 others.

Switzerland: Petition demands immediate release of political prisoners in India

01/10/2021 Asha

Berne; Oct 1, 2021 (Pic credits: Solifonds)

By SOLIFONDS and the Women’s Rights Group Zurich of Amnesty International Switzerland

Today, Friday 1 October, SOLIFONDS and the Women’s Rights Group Zurich of Amnesty International Switzerland handed over several hundred signatures for a petition for the release of political prisoners (BK16) to the Indian Embassy in Berne, Switzerland. However, no one from the embassy was willing to receive the petition.

Indian trade unionist and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj has been in prison for over three years – without evidence and without a trial. Sudha Bharadwaj is also known in Switzerland because she struggled for the direct employment of contract workers at the Swiss cement company Holcim in India, as ruled by law. She and 15 other human rights defenders, intellectuals, lawyers and cultural workers were accused of being involved in the violence at Bhima Koregaon and of planning a conspiracy against the government. Forged documents, which forensic investigations revealed had been smuggled into the computers of accused persons by hackers, serve as “evidence”. A trial has not yet taken place.
…

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

15/09/2021 Asha

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.
Read more

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

Activists hold vigil for Fr. Stan, want stringent laws gone

29/08/2021 Asha

Activists hold vigil for Fr. Stan, want stringent laws gone

29/08/2021

The Statesman / by Sankha Ghosh

“Fr Stan had given his entire life to ensure the rights of the marginalized people, and he had been never silent for the rights of the poor people. But he had been arrested under false charges and he died in an inhuman, insensitive manner. We will carry forward his movement for social justice,”
Rights activists, civil society groups, mass organisations, tribal organisations and members of trade unions today vowed to continue their struggle to demand the abrogation of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sedition law, and unconditional release of political prisoners.
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Father Stan Swamy’s struggle to be taken to panchayats

29/08/2021

The Telegraph / by Animesh Bisoee

One of the conveners of Shahid Father Stan Swamy Nyay Morcha said the awareness campaign will start on September 1 and continue till October 8
Members of trade unions, non-BJP parties and civil society organisations who have come together in the aftermath of the custody death of Father Stan Swamy have decided to take the Jesuit priest’s struggle for the rights of the oppressed and undertrials to the panchayat level in Jharkhand.
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CPM to organise block-level demonstrations across Jharkhand on Oct 8 to mark Swamy’s arrest

29/08/2021

Times of India / by Times of India

The state unit of CPM concluded its two-day state convention on Saturday where it decided that it will organise campaigns at the grass-root level to highlight issues such as civil liberties, the release of political prisoners and scrapping of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
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NIA’s draft chargesheet against Elgar Parishad accused smells foul

28/08/2021 Asha

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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National Day of Protest Against Draconian Laws

28/08/2021 Asha

Release Sudha Bharadwaj and other comrades

Raipur, August 28

Posters shared @ twitterstorm (August 27)

By National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)

#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners
#ScrapUAPA
Part of the Campaign Against Draconian Laws
Jan Azadi 75

click to enlarge

National Day of Protest Against Draconian Laws on 28th August, 2021

Aug 2021

By National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)

Friends,
As you already know, NAPM is part of the ongoing joint national campaign against UAPA, sedition and all other draconian laws, which are threatening our right to democratic dissent.

The key demands of this campaign are:
1) Justice for Stan Swamy.
2) Repeal of UAPA, sedition and all other draconian Central and State laws.
3) Restore the Right to Bail.
4) Release all Political Prisoners.
5) Accountability for filing false cases and compensation to victims.
6) Stop illegal detentions and weaponizing the criminal justice system.
Read more

Also read: OPEN NATIONAL CALL: DEFEND RIGHT TO DISSENT, REPEAL SEDITION LAW, UAPA AND REPRESSIVE STATE LAWS (Call issued by several organizations across the country, July 2021)

Petition: Open an Investigation into NetWire attack on the computers of the Bhima Koregaon arrestees!

28/08/2021 Asha

India Civil Watch / By NET ALERT

To: Parliamentary Subcommittee on Information Technology
We, the undersigned, demand that the parliamentary subcommittee on Information Technology open an investigation into the NetWire attack on the computers of the Bhima-Koregaon arrestees. There is overwhelming evidence that a malware attack took place. One of the world’s leading digital forensic investigation agencies, Arsenal Consulting, has conducted a thorough investigation and brought to light crucial evidence confirming the attack and the planting of incriminating documents on the hard drives of the Bhima-Koregaon arrestees. Independent experts have verified Arsenal’s findings.
Read more /sign petition

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

21/08/2021 Asha

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

21/08/2021 Asha

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