India: Further Information: Detained journalist released on bail: Santosh Yadav
Santosh Yadav was released from prison on 9 March 2017, over a week after the Supreme Court of India granted him bail. Detained since September 2015, it is believed that he was targeted for his work among Indigenous Adivasi communities in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh. He is required to report to the local police station daily.
Further information on UA: 224/15 Index: ASA 20/5797/2017 India Date: 10 March 2017
URGENT ACTION
DETAINED JOURNALIST RELEASED ON BAIL
Santosh Yadav was released from prison on 9 March 2017, over a week after the
Supreme Court of India granted him bail. Detained since September 2015, it is believed
that he was targeted for his work among Indigenous Adivasi communities in Bastar
district, Chhattisgarh. He is required to report to the local police station daily.
Santosh Yadav was granted bail by the Supreme Court on 27 February 2017 following a petition filed by his
lawyers in November 2016. He had been charged under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act and Unlawful
Activities Prevention Act. The court-ordered conditions of bail require him to report to the local police station once
every day, and to not leave the city without informing the local police. Following administrative delays, Santosh
Yadav was finally released from prison on 9 March 2017.
Speaking to Amnesty International India, Santosh Yadav said, “I want to thank Amnesty from the bottom of my
heart. No one supported me, or came to meet me in jail, like you did.” He said, “The way journalists are being put in
jail, it’s not very motivating to do this work right now”. Santosh Yadav was arrested on 29 September 2015, and it
is believed that he was targeted for his work among Indigenous Adivasi communities in Bastar district,
Chhattisgarh.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act uses sweeping and overly broad definitions of ‘acts of terrorism’ and
‘membership’ of ‘unlawful’ organizations. Pre-charge detention under the law can extend to 180 days, far beyond
international standards. The Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act also contains broad and vaguely worded
definitions of ‘unlawful activity’. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders has called for the repeal
of both laws.
Thank you to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network.
This is the second update of UA 224/15. Further information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/5114/2016/en/
Name: Santosh Yadav
Gender m/f: male
Further information on UA: 224/15 Index: ASA 20/5797/2017 Issue Date: 10 March 2017