Petition from Uganda for the release of Mr. Ramesh Agarwal

Petition from Uganda for the release of Mr. Ramesh Agarwal

 To:
 Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
 Dr. 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,


Kenneth Kakuru
Director,
Greenwatch
Plot 6 Suite No. 5
Airways House -Colville St.
P.O. Box 10120,
Kampala
Uganda
Tel: +256 414 344 613
E-mail: kenneth@greenwatch.or.ug
Website:www.greenwatch.or.ug