[mobglob-discuss] Solidarity with Activists in Chattisgarh

[Harsha Walia]

STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH PEACE ACTIVISTS ON FAST AGAINST STATE REPRESSION
IN CHATTISGARH

It is with an immense sense of democratic strength that we the undersigned
express our solidarity with the National Convener of the National Alliance of
People’s Movements Shri Sandeep Pandey, Faisal Khan, NAPM, Prem Narayan
Verma
and other activists of the Chattisgarh Mukti Morcha and all other
peace-loving
individuals of Chattisgarh, who are on a 10 day fast in Raipur, since the
16th
of June, 2008, to uphold human rights and civil liberties.  The saga of
inhuman
state repression against voices questioning state violence, unaccountability
and distorted development, be it the sponsored Salwa-Judum or other forms of
extra-constitutional violations, in the state of Chattisgarh or elsewhere,
needs no reiteration, and there is hardly any sign of regret or truth-based
action from the state apparatus even a year after the arbitrary and illegal
arrest of human rights defenders like Binayak Sen and instead continues to
indulge in the harassment of those who are questioning Salwa Judum like
Himanshu in Dantewada.

Not only is Mr. Sen still in state custody, but more and more activists like
Ajay TG also continue, not only to be incarcerated, but also denied bails by
the judiciary at all levels. Democratic forces, Nobel laureates,
Intellectuals,
social and human rights activists and concerned individuals and groups across
India and even abroad have been lending their solidarity, all through, which
was re-affirmed during the world-wide visible protest actions on May 14,
marking a year of the unlawful detention of Mr. Sen. But India Private
Limited
seems to be unmoved.

The National Alliance of People’s Movements proudly joins all democratic
forces in our just struggle against arbitrary abuse of state power, as
with the
Salwa Judum, and extend our full solidarity in challenging the
ever-increasing
state impunity, not only because we do not have a choice in combating the new
violent corporate state, but equally because of our unflinching faith in the
non-negotiables of justice, fairness, equity and humanism.

NAPM demands the unconditional release of Mr. Binayak Sen, Mr. Ajay and all
human rights activists and other persons who have been unlawfully arrested
under draconian legislations like the Chattisgarh Special Public Security Act
2005, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (1967) amended in 2004,
which
are in direct contravention of not just internationally accepted norms of
jurisprudence and human rights covenants, but also violate the letter, spirit
and the very humane fabric of our Constitution and, therefore, demand their
immediate and complete repeal.

The ongoing fast is a courageous expression of our collective passion for
justice for all, in particular, to ensure that the human rights of
marginalized
peoples are not transgressed by arbitrary state and non-state actors. We also
hereby announce our national action in many states across India, including in
Chattisgarh, on June 26th, to mark the new emergency that has dawned upon
us in
the wake of neo-liberal assault and appeal to all like-minded groups and
individuals to join this action in their respective places.


National Conveners of National Alliance of People’s Movements