Petition from Benin for release of Mr. Ramesh Agarwal
Santo Domingo, D.N.
June 06, 2011
Doctor
Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh
Shri P.J. Oomen, Chief Secretary
Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
Dear Prime Minister, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Chhatisgarh &
Chairman National Human Rights Commission:
We are very concerned that Ramesh Agarwal, a long standing environmental and social advocate has been arrested in Chhatisgarh and jailed without Bail. We understand that he has been arrested on charges made by the Jindal Group of Companies alleging criminal defamation and intimidation based on statements made by Mr. Agarwal at a legally constituted Public Hearing one year ago in May 2010 on an Environmental Impact Assessment for a 2500 MW Power Plant proposed by the Jindal Group. Since his arrest, we were informed that Mr. Agarwal has been denied medical attention and chained to his hospital bed in violation of his fundamental human rights recognized by the laws of India. We sincerely hope that India does not send a message to the world that its citizen who speak up and express environmental and social concerns will be treated in this manner.
We earnestly request that Mr. Agarwal be released without delay and that you ensure his safety, health and well being. We also hope that these charges will not be pursued any further and that the concerns that Mr. Agarwal and other villagers expressed at the hearing will be given earnest consideration by your Government and institutions.
Sincerely,
César Antonio Vargas Pimentel
Director
Santo Domingo, D.N.
June 06, 2011
Doctor
Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh
Shri P.J. Oomen, Chief Secretary
Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
Dear Prime Minister, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Chhatisgarh &
Chairman National Human Rights Commission:
We are very concerned that Ramesh Agarwal, a long standing environmental and social advocate has been arrested in Chhatisgarh and jailed without Bail. We understand that he has been arrested on charges made by the Jindal Group of Companies alleging criminal defamation and intimidation based on statements made by Mr. Agarwal at a legally constituted Public Hearing one year ago in May 2010 on an Environmental Impact Assessment for a 2500 MW Power Plant proposed by the Jindal Group. Since his arrest, we were informed that Mr. Agarwal has been denied medical attention and chained to his hospital bed in violation of his fundamental human rights recognized by the laws of India. We sincerely hope that India does not send a message to the world that its citizen who speak up and express environmental and social concerns will be treated in this manner.
We earnestly request that Mr. Agarwal be released without delay and that you ensure his safety, health and well being. We also hope that these charges will not be pursued any further and that the concerns that Mr. Agarwal and other villagers expressed at the hearing will be given earnest consideration by your Government and institutions.
Sincerely,
César Antonio Vargas Pimentel
Director
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