Why Dr Binayak Sen must be released: Rediff News
Apoorvanand
Rediff News
May 16, 2008
Dr Binayak Sen seems to have caught the imagination of the mainstream media in India at last. But one has to remember that he has spent a year in a Chhattisgarh jail.
An international award by the Global Heath Council named after Jonathan Mann to Dr Sen for his untiring work in the field of people’s health and human rights followed by a strong appeal by 22 Nobel Laureates demanding his release seems to have convinced the media that there is something extraordinary about Dr Sen’s arrest and that the issue needs to be probed.
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PROTEST DEMONSTRATION FOR RELEASE OF DR BINAYAK SEN AT THE COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR OF HIS IMPRISONMENT
UPDATE ON DR. BINAYAK SEN:
PEOPLE’S UNION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES– CHHATTISGARH
Raipur, 16th May 2008: The Chhattisgarh Unit of PUCL, and various people’s organizations observed a day-long Dharna on 14th May 2008 at Burha-talab, Raipur in protest against illegal detention ofDr. Binayak Sen, its General Secretary, who has been lodged at Raipur Central Jail for the past one year. About 450 citizens (workers, peasants, youth, women, intellectuals and political party workers, etc.) participated in the event expressing their solidarity with Dr.Binayak Sen, Ajay TG of PUCL-CG, and others detained under the draconian law called the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2005.
At the end of the day-long Dharna, the people and organizations resolved to continue to demonstrate and demand: a) repeal of the Black Law; b) un-conditional release of Dr. Binayak Sen, Ajay TG of PUCL-CG, and all others detained under this law; c) ban the state sponsored violent campaign called Salwa- Judum, and stop the State War against its own citizens; and d) stop the violations of human rights under the pretext of containing “naxalism” under the militaristic strategies of the State.
As a next step of this movement, it was decided to hold the Chain-Hunger-Strike or Fasting from 16th to 25th June, 2008 at Raipur, coinciding with the Anniversary of Declaration of Emergency Rule in India (in 1975). Prominent Social Activist like Sandeep Pandey, CMM activist, Prem Narain Verma (President, Rajnandgaon Kapda Mill Mazdoor Sangh), and many others have already given their consent to sit for the 10-day Hunger Strike/Fasting protesting against the repressive regime of BJP in Chhattisgarh, demanding repeal of the Black Law and release of all detained under this Act of 2005. Several organizations and
citizens are planning to join this event.
A National Convention is also being called on 25th & 26th June, 2008 at Raipur, at the end of this 10-day Hunger-Strike/Fasting, bringing together democratic organizations, citizens and activists from all over the country to formulate a common agenda and strategy to resist the repression of the State, and defend democracy. Before the National Convention, series of events would take place in different parts of Chhattisgarh mobilizing public opinion against the Black Law and violation of human rights in the state.
During the day-long Dharna on 14th May, speakers after speakers condemned the draconian law, state repression and demanded unconditional release of Dr. Sen, Ajay TG and others. Prominent among these were Chhattistarh Mukti Morcha, Chhattisgarh Mahila Mukti Morcha, Chhattisgarh Mahila Jagriti Sangathan, Chhattisgarh Bal Shramik Sangathan, Nadi Ghati Morcha, Communist Party of India (M-L), Roopantar, Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), Chhattisgarh Labour Institute, Mukti-Niketan, Sabla Dal, Nagrik Sadbhawna Manch, Jagruk Nagrik Manch, Chhattisgarh Kisan Sangathan, Sarvodaya Sewa Sangh, Shram Niketan (Anooppur), ASHA (Lucknow), Chhattisgarh Kisan Sangathan, Chhattisgarh Mines Shramik Sangh, Pragatisheel Engineering Shramik Sangha, National Alliance of Women (NAWO), etc.
Among the individuals who were present and addressed the Dharna were Com.Janak Lal Thakur, President, CMM, Sandeep Pandey (Magasasey Award Winner), Shyam Bahadur ‘Narm’ (Convener, MP PUCL), Gautam Bandopadhyay, Dr. Lakhan Singh, Prem Narain Verma, Tejram Sahu, Saura Yadav, Shashi Sail, Narottam Sharma, Bishat Chandrakar, Harshlata Kanwar, Adv Sudha Bhardwaj, Rajendra Sail.
Liberation Songs were presented by Shaheed Anusuiya Natya Kala Manch and Chhattisgarh Mahial Jagriti Sangathan.
Rajendra K Sail
President- PUCL CG
094242-01288
Post Box No. 87,
Main Post Office, Raipur – 492001
Chhattisgarh: India
E-mail: pucl.cg@gmail.com
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International coalition demands repeal of repressive laws on one-year anniversary of Dr. Binayak Sen’s unjust incarceration
Association for India’s Development
Friends of South Asia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2008
Send a FREE FAX NOW to PM/CM: http://petitions.aidindia.org/binayaksen/index.php
Protest Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxSoqWab0vE
Pictures : http://gallery.aidindia.org/gallery/gallery2/v/chhattisgarh_001/Binayak+Sen+Solidarity/
San Francisco, CA: Hundreds of Activists from a broad coalition of 50 international human rights groups that includes Amnesty International, National Lawyers’ Guild and SANSAD (South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy), Canada, took to the streets on two Global days of Action, May 13 & 14, to protest the continued incarceration of human rights crusader, Dr. Binayak Sen. Simultaneous protests were held outside the Indian consulates in London, New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Vancouver, while activists in Paris, Stockholm, Boston, Pittsburgh, Houston and many other cities organized vigils, talks, and film screenings to raise awareness about the ongoing persecution of human rights activists. Over 4000 signatures from individuals around the world have been collected on petitions asking for the release of Dr. Sen. Internationally acclaimed intellectuals, including Noam Chomsky, Arundhati Roy, George Galloway, and Mahashweta Devi have all joined in urging the Indian government to free Binayak Sen and stop the harassment of human rights activists. Further, in an unprecedented move, twenty-two Nobel Prize winning scientists and economists have also appealed to the Indian government to release Dr Binayak Sen enabling him to go and receive the 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Health and Human Rights in Washington later this month. All these documents were submitted to Indian authorities along with hundreds of faxes by individuals demanding the release of Dr.Sen*.
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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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Nobel Winners call for release of Dr Binayak Sen
Global protests on first anniversary of arrest
PRESS RELEASE
12 May 2008
In an unprecedented move twenty-two Nobel Prize winning scientists and economists have appealed to the Indian government to release the jailed paediatrician and humanitarian activist Dr Binayak Sen enabling him to go and receive the 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Health and Human Rights in Washington later this month.
Dr Sen, who is the first south Asian to be selected for the prestigious award, was arrested under the Chattisgarh State Public Security Act last year on false charges of ‘supporting’ unlawful activities of an armed underground movement. There is no evidence to prove these charges however and it is widely believed that Dr Sen is being victimised for his human rights work and exposure of violations carried out by police and the state-sponsored militia called Salwa Judum in Chattisgarh.
“While the judicial process involving our professional colleague moves forward, we respectfully request that Dr. Sen be freed from incarceration on humanitarian grounds to receive his award and to continue his important medical work” says the letter from the Nobel Prize winners, dated 9 May and addressed to a host of top Indian officials including Smt. Pratibha Patil, President of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister and Dr Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chattisgarh.
Signatories to the letter include 9 Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine, 9 in Chemistry, 2 in Physics and 2 in Economics. These luminaries are
PETER AGRE (Chemistry 2003), KENNETH J. ARROW(Economics 1972) , CLAUDE COHEN-TANNOUDJI (Physics 1997), ROBERT CURL(Chemistry 1996), JOHANN DEISENHOFER(Chemistry 1988), PAUL GREENGARD (Physiology or Medicine 2000), ROGER GUILLEMIN ( Physiology or Medicine 1977), FRANCOIS JACOB(Physiology or Medicine 1965), ERIC KANDEL (Physiology or Medicine 2000), SIR HARALD KROTO (Chemistry 1996), FINN KYDLAND (Economics 2004), YUAN T. LEE (Chemistry 1986), CRAIG C. MELLO (Physiology or Medicine 2006), JOHN POLANYI (Chemistry 1986), RICHARD J. ROBERTS (Physiology or Medicine 1993), F. SHERWOOD ROWLAND (Chemistry 1995), JENS C. SKOU (Chemistry 1997), (PHILLIP A. SHARP (Physiology or Medicine 1993), CHARLES TOWNES (Physics 1964), HAROLD VARMUS (Physiology or Medicine 1989), SIR JOHN E. WALKER (Chemistry 1997), TORSTEN WIESEL( Physiology or Medicine 1981)
(corrected the list.)
The Nobel Prize winners statement also raises concerns that Dr. Sen appears to be incarcerated solely for peacefully exercising his fundamental human rights, in contravention of Articles 19 (freedom of opinion and expression) and 22 (freedom of association) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—to which India is a state party. Further it says “…he is charged under two internal security laws that do not comport with international human rights standards.”
This is not the first time that prominent intellectuals from around the world have appealed for the release of Dr Binayak Sen, an outstanding humanitarian physician who has spent over three decades in the service of rural and tribal communities in Chattisgarh. In a statement last month Dr. Nils Dulaire, President of the Global Health Council, which selected Dr Sen for the Jonathan Mann Award said “We believe, however, that allowing Dr. Sen to attend the award’s ceremony would send a strong signal internationally that would help to restore faith that India and its states are indeed committed to fairly addressing this and other cases related to civil conflicts and civil liberties”
However the coming together of twenty-two Nobel Prize winners in support of a political prisoner in India is unprecedented and speaks volumes of the admiration evoked by Dr Sen among his global peers.
“It provides clear evidence of the level of concern that Binayak’s case has engendered around the world,” said Dr Ilina Sen, wife of Dr Binayak Sen, herself a well-known scholar and rights activist.
In the meanwhile on 14 May, 2008, the first anniversary of Dr Sen’s arrest, hundreds of people across the globe are planning to stage demonstrations, hold vigils and organise public meetings demanding his immediate release.
Apart from cities like New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai in India protests are also planned in ten North American and three European cities including New York, Toronto, London, Paris and Stockholm. Most of these protests, organised by members of the Indian diaspora along with global activist groups, will be staged outside Indian embassies and consulates in these cities.
All told, the international attention proves, as was noted in the Global Health Council’s statement of support, that the “world is watching” to see whether India will maintain its proud democratic tradition.
Download Nobel Winners Statement
For further information contact:
- Satya Sivaraman, New Delhi Ph: +91–9818514952
- Dr P.Zachariah, Vellore Ph: +91-9442607116
- Dr Rakhal, Chennai Ph: +91- 9940246089
- Dr Punyabrata Gun, Kolkata Ph: +91-9830922194
- Dr Abhay Shukla, Pune Ph: +91-9422317515
- Somu Kumar, US somukumar@gmail.com
- Shalini Gera, US shalinigera@yahoo.com
- Kalpana Wilson, London sasg@southasiasolidarity.org
VISIT: WWW.BINAYAKSEN.NET AND WWW.FREEBINAYAKSEN.ORG
Download Nobel Winners Statement
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From freebinayaksen.org- Updates from Google News
- Govt disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers like Salwa Judum - Times of India
- With fear and hope - Hindu
- Orissa Police in Service of Hindutva (and POSCO) - Desicritics.org
- POTA 3.0: India's New Terror Law - CounterCurrents.org
- Mumbai attack: Who is asking the real questions? - Express Buzz
- Poetry: Matte Finish - Desicritics.org
- Reports From Indian Media
- With fear and hope - Hindu: Sunday Magazine
- Mumbai attack: Who is asking the real questions? - New Indian Express
- Equality before the law? - Oheraldo
- Govt disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers like Salwa Judum - TOI: India
- Chidambaram says Govt disapproves of Salwa Judum - Express India-- Front Page
- Chidambaram says Govt disapproves of Salwa Judum - The Indian Express -- Front Page
- Centre disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers like Salwa Judum - Rediff: News
- Government disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers - NDTV National
- Govt disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers - Hindustan Times: News
- Govt disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers - Hindustan Times: India
- Govt disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers like Salwa Judum - TOI: India
- Govt disapproves of 'non-state' law enforcers like Salwa Judum - Doordarshan
- Rhetoric rejected - Frontline
- Outcome shot in the arm for salwa judum - Asian Age: India
- PUCL Vice-President's bail plea rejected - New Kerala: West Bengal
- Chhattisgarh HC: PUCL vice president's bail plea rejected - IndLaw News
- Different kinds of silence - Telegraph: Opinion
- Whither democracy? - Oheraldo
- Q&A: 'Rights activism uses space within the Constitution' - TOI: Editorial
- The Shootin' Sheriffs - Outlook