Act now to demand the release of the BK16!
Since 2018, Indian authorities have arrested 16 activists under a draconian anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case. 11 of them continue to languish in prison without trial. The repression of activists must end.
The BK16 activists include poets, journalists, lawyers, professors, artists, and a Jesuit priest, who have been charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which has been abused to detain people for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
These HRDs have long worked to defend the rights of some of India’s poorest and most marginalized communities, including Dalits and Adivasis – India’s indigenous peoples. They are India’s heroes.
One of the 16 activists, Fr. Stan Swamy died in detention due to denial of timely medical treatment. While three others, Anand Teltumbde, Sudha Bhardwaj and Varavara Rao have been granted bail and activist Gautam Navlakha has been shifted to house arrest, 11 activists continue to languish in jail without a trial.
Take action today and demand their immediate release.
Dissent is the safety valve of democracy. If you don’t allow the safety valve, pressure cooker will burst.
Supreme Court of India, 2018
The Bhima Koregaon 16:
INDIAN AUTHORITIES MUST RELEASE ALL IMPRISONED ACTIVISTS IN THE BK16 CASE!
Act now to urge the Union Home Minister of India, Amit Shah to:
- Drop all charges against the 16 activists and immediately release the 12 who remain in detention
- Pending their release, ensure that they are granted prompt, regular, and unrestricted access to medical care and other basic necessities
- Repeal or substantially amend the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Background:
Police allege that the 16 activists “incited” a group of Dalit people at a large public rally in Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra on 31 December 2017. Dalit people belong to oppressed castes and have historically faced discrimination. Violent clashes erupted the next day, leading to one death and several injured. The police have also accused the activists to be active members of the banned terrorist organization Communist Party of India.
The activists face charges under the UAPA and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The UAPA has often been abused to arbitrarily detain people peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. Amnesty International has previously conducted analysis of the UAPA and concluded that parts of it do not meet international human rights standards.