PHM-Exch> Urgent: PHM India (JSA) statement on Binayak Sen's conviction

[Claudio Schuftan]

   --
We, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, a coalition of national networks and
organizations actively working for health rights in the country,
express our outrage at the verdict of the Raipur district and sessions
court, on 24th December 2010, declaring Dr Binayak Sen, General
Secretary of the Chhattisgarh People's Union for Civil Liberties and
Vice-President of the National PUCL, guilty of sedition and treason,
and sentencing him to life imprisonment.

Dr Sen has an illustrious record of over 25 years of selfless public
service in areas of health and human rights. He has been an active
member and former convenor of the Medico Friend Circle, a national
organization of health professionals working towards an alternative
health system responsive to the needs of the poor. He has been closely
associated with the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, the Indian chapter of the
People’s Health Movement. In recognition of his work, the Christian
Medical College, Vellore conferred on him the Paul Harrison Award in
2004, which is the highest award given to an alumnus for distinguished
service in rural areas. He continues to be an inspiration to
successive generations of students and faculty. Many of his articles
based on his work have been internationally appreciated. His
indictment under the draconian and undemocratic Chhattisgarh Special
Public Security Act, 2006, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Act, 1967 is utterly condemnable.

Not only has the farcical nature of the trial been reported in the
media, the charges against Dr Sen, of engaging in anti-national
activities, have been widely held as baseless. This judgment is an
unacceptable attempt to intimidate and vilify those who advocate for
the rights of the poor and the marginalized, and reveals the
indiscriminate use of state machinery to stifle democratic dissent.

JSA believes that a great injustice has been done, not only to Dr Sen
but also to the democratic fabric of this country. JSA salutes Dr
Sen’s work, and demands that justice be delivered in his case.


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