Protest held in Chennai for Dr. Binayak Sen’s release
From Indian Health Front
A well-attended public protest was held outside Chennai’s Memorial Hall, opposite the Madras Medical College demanding the unconditional release of Dr. Binayak Sen. The meeting was attended by people from various walks of life, including unorganised workers, lawyers, doctors, journalists and civil rights campaigners. The protest, held along with other similar events worldwide, marked the first year of Dr. Sen’s incarceration by the BJP government in Chhatisgarh. Read more
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Call to resist Silent Emergency!.. Global protests for Binayak Sen’s Release
PRESS RELEASE
14th May 2008
Hundreds of activists in India and across the world today called for the unconditional release of jailed pediatrician Dr Binayak Sen, dubbing his incarceration a gross miscarriage of justice and a shame to Indian democracy.
On the first anniversary of the arrest of the renowned health and human rights activist they also demanded the scrapping of the Chhattisgarh State Special Security Act, a draconian legislation under which Dr Sen was detained. The protestors quoted the recent statement signed by 22 Nobel Laureates that says the internal security law does not ‘comport with international human rights standards’.
Candlelight vigils, fasts, public meetings and rallies in support of Dr Sen’s release were held in cities like New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, New Delhi, Raipur, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Pune. Apart from rights activists large number medical professionals all over the world took part in the protests.
In New Delhi in a memo to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, the Committee for the Release of Dr Binayak Sen said that the trumped up charges of ‘treason’, and ‘abetting unlawful activities’ foisted on Dr Sen have so far not been backed up with any evidence. The judicial process initiated against him is only meant to harass him personally and intimidate all those working for human rights in Chattisgarh.
The memo said that the arrest of Chhattisgarh PUCL executive member and independent filmmaker Ajay TG on 5 May 2008 on similar flimsy and vague charges exposed the desperation of the Chhattisgarh government following its inability to substantiate charges against Dr Sen.
The Committee for the Release of Dr Binayak Sen has made the following demands to the Chhattisgarh government:
- Drop all charges against Dr Binayak Sen, release him unconditionally and pay compensation for the harassment and loss of liberty he has suffered due to his detention;
- Drop all charges against Ajay TG, who is being victimised by your government for being an active member of PUCL and supporting the release of Dr Sen;
- Scrap the Chattisgarh State Public Security Act that violates the basic principles of the Indian Constitution as well as internationally accepted norms of justice and rule of law;
- Stop encouraging all-out civil war in Chattisgarh in the name of ‘Salwa Judum’, which even the Supreme Court has indicated is unconstitutional and amounting to abetment of murder by the state.
- Ensure a just and honest governance that improves the lives of millions of desperately poor people in Chattisgarh
Activists supporting Dr Sen have vowed to continue their peaceful agitation for his release and also raise the issue of other political prisoners around India who have been detained under various undemocratic laws. They have called upon the people of India to resist the imposition of a silent Emergency on the country in the name of ‘national security’ and containing terrorism.
For further information contact:
- Sreerekha Ph: 9868120339
- Satya Sivararaman Ph: 9818514952
- Kavita Srivastava Ph: 09351562965
Visit: www.binayaksen.net and www.freebinayaksen.org and www.pudr.org for more details
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Dr Binayak Sen: Tribal doctor :BBC Report
Dr Binayak Sen: Tribal doctor
Binayak Sen says poor people have real grievances
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One of India’s best-known public health specialists and human rights activists, Dr Binayak Sen, has now spent a year in an Indian prison.
He is accused of links with Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh, one of India’s poorest states where the rebels have a strong presence. The doctor denies the charge.
During a court appearance earlier this year, Dr Sen said he did not support the Maoists.
“If they arrest people like me, human rights workers will have no locus standi. I have never condoned Maoist violence. It is an invalid and unsustainable movement,” he told Tehelka magazine. Read more
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Protest Pictures from Vigil in London
Protest Pictures from Vigil in front of Indian High Commission, London
Click on the images for enlarged view
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Protest meeting & Rally in raipur
Greetings from the Chhattisgarh PUCL!
This is to confirm that the Day-long Protest Demonstration on completion of one year of illegal detention of Dr. Binayak Sen and also that of Ajay TG and others detained under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2005 will be held as scheduled on 14 May 2008 from 11 am to 4 pm at Buda Talab, Raipur, and thereafter the Rally & Public Meeting will be held. Kindly join us in this Event. Those coming from outside Raipur, kindly contact us on arrival or give information in advance so that we could make adequate arrangements.
INSAF-Chhattisgarh has prepared a poster in Hindi at this occasion, which is enclosed herewith. Many many find it convenient to use on 14th May 2008.
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Gallery
From freebinayaksen.org- Updates from Google News
- Dr Binayak Sen: An unfortunate achiever - Merinews
- Jailed human-rights activist works for peace - Ode Magazine
- Q&A: 'Rights activism uses space within the Constitution' - Times of India
- DIFFERENT KINDS OF SILENCE - Calcutta Telegraph
- Vote War 2008: Chhattisgarh - Tehelka
- National Convention on Countering Fascist Forces: Defending the ... - NewsBlaze (press release)
- Reports From Indian Media
- Different kinds of silence - Telegraph: Opinion
- Whither democracy? - Oheraldo
- Q&A: 'Rights activism uses space within the Constitution' - TOI: Editorial
- The Shootin' Sheriffs - Outlook
- Videos - Rediff: Top Stories (India)
- India must be reclaimed - Hindustan Times: Views
- A law and its victim - Frontline
- An appeal for peace in South Bastar - Hindu: Opinion
- NGOs demand severe action against attackers - The Navhind Times