PRESS RELEASE - GUJARAT TRYING TO IMPLEMENT A DRACONIAN LAW

 

 

The decision of the Gujarat Government to finally frame  the Rules to put into effect its "Freedom of Religion Act 2003"  is reflective of the mindset of the Government.  Both, the Act and the Rules,  violate the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Country and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

 

 

For more than five years, the Government has fought shy of framing these Rules; besides, not a single case of "forced" or "fraudulent" conversion to any religion could be proved.  One therefore wonders what the compulsions are now ? 

 

 

 

-   Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

    Director

    PRASHANT - A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace

    Ahmedabad

    India

 

 

26th April  2008

 

 

 

 

 

DR. BINAYAK SEN WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS JONATHAN MANN AWARD FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS !!!

 
Dr. Binayak Sen has won the prestigious Jonathan Mann award for Global Health and Human Rights!!   This is in recognition of his lifetime of work in the fields of public health and human rights in Chhattisgarh.
 
This comes as a great boost for the 'Free Binayak Sen' campaign at a vital time. His trial begins in less than 10 days and the one year anniversary of his illegal arrest is on May 14 2008. People's movement all around the World are protesting his illegal detention on May 14th. For more details, please write to : Srinadhm(at)gmail.com / Somu(at)aidindia.org

 

 
Excerpts below, including a strong support statement from eminent members of the global medical fraternity.

 

 
Let us send a loud and clear message demanding justice. http://petitions.aidindia.org/Binayak_Dec_2007/  and http://www.freebinayaksen.org/

 

BBC Report: Jailed rights activist wins award http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7361046.stm
In Solidarity,
 
AID's Free Binayak Sen Campaign Team

 

Jailed Indian Doctor Wins 2008 Jonathan Mann Award
http://www.globalhealth.org/news/article/9833

 

April 21, 2008

 

The Global Health Council announced April 21 that the winner of the 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights is Dr. Binayak Sen of Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. Sen, who helped establish a hospital serving poor mine workers in the region, founded a health and human rights organization that supports community health workers in 20 villages, and is an officer of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), has been imprisoned in Raipur for nearly a year without trial as a result of allegations that he violated state antiterrorism laws. Sen denies committing any crime.

 

The Global Health Council and several prominent global health organizations have issued a statement of support for Sen, requesting that Indian authorities find the means to allow the doctor to receive his award in person on May 29 at the 35th Annual International Conference on Global Health in Washington, D.C.

 

View full statement of support from global health organizations on behalf of Dr. Sen:
View statement of support.
View press release.
View more information about Dr. Sen's work.
View website, People's Union for Civil Liberties: http://www.pucl.org/.
View more information on the Council's global health awards.

 

 

 

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