MKSS RAJASTHAN
We are extremely concerned and distressed to hear reports that Teesta
Setalvad, advocate MM Tirmizi and others are being victimised for
their steadfast effort to take judicial proceedings against the
perpetrators of the communal riots that took place in Gujarat in 2002
to their logical conclusion. We are very disturbed to hear that they
fear for their lives and are anxious for their safety. It is very
unfortunate that the very State that should be offering them
protection and should see them as partners in ensuring justice is
done, is harassing them. We urge the government in the strongest
possible way to ensure that no harm through malicious intent comes
their way.
The trial on the 2002 Gujarat communal riots is near its end and so
this harassment has clearly been timed to intimidate the 'Citizens for
Peace and Justice' who have been fighting for the victims. One must
also take cognisance of the fact that similar to the unjustified
persecution of Binayak Sen, this also seems to be an attempt to pass a
message to others not to come out in support of human rights and
victims of injustice. The conviction of Binayak Sen for sedition and
treason, has implications well beyond the State of Chhattisgarh. That
voices of dissent are being forcefully stamped out by the State
through such coercive means and intimidation in different States in
India shows the need for vigilance across the country to protect
activists human rights defenders, and democracy itself.
Signed,
Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey, Shankar Singh and Bhanwar Meghwanshi
For the MKSS
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