India: UPDATE - Supreme Court of India grants bail to Dr Binayak Sen

Front Line welcomes the news that the Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Dr Binayak Sen following 22 months in detention.

Further Information

Front Line had expressed its concern that Dr Binayak Sen was not receiving the medical attention that he required and which had been recommended by Dr Ashish Malhotra.

Front Line considers that the arrest and subsequent detention of Dr Binayak Sen was politically motivated and that he was targeted as a result of his peaceful and legitimate work in the defence of human rights. As a member of the PUCL, Dr. Binayak Sen has continually raised awareness in Chhattisgarh with regard to human rights issues, including most recently the killing of 12 members of an adivasis indigenous community, in the district of Bijapur, on 31 March 2007.

However we would also like to express our concern over the ongoing persecution of the human rights defender whose trial before the Raipur Court will continue on May 26 and 27. Front Line calls on the authorities in India to cease the judicial harassment of Dr Binayak Sen.

For further information on this case please link to the original appeal Dr Binayak Sen Urgent Appeal