India: Human Rights Defenders Are Under Attack, Say 21 Members of European Parliament
Friday, March 11, 2022 4:20 PM
21 Members of European Parliament have signed an open letter condemning the jailing of Indian Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). Under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), HRDs face serious charges, such as terrorism, for their peaceful work. Courts may deny them bail, even to those vulnerable to COVID-19 in the prison system. An elderly HRD and Jesuit Priest, Stan Swamy, died in custody. Others arrested for their campaign against the Citizenship Amendment Act, or for other human rights commitments to Dalit, Adivasi, or Muslims’ rights, remain in jail.