Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward an appeal from Voice of the People (VoP), Uttar Pradesh, People’s Watch Tamilnadu (PWTN) and People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) Uttar Pradesh concerning the murder of Mr. Hari Lal. It is reported that Hari Lal was a leader of the VoP, an organisation with political backgrounds and that the corrupt village head of Lahna village.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Sabitha
People’s Watch Human Rights Defenders’ Desk
Email: sabitha@pwtn.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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Murder of a human rights defender in Uttar Pradesh must be investigated
Incident: According to the information we have received, Hari Lal, MNREGA activist and one of the leaders of the organization Voice of People (VOP), was killed in broad daylight at 12.00 Noon in his village Lahna, Manjhanpur Block, Kaushambi District on the Independence Day, 15 August 2010 at the instance of the corrupt Gram Pradhan Mr. Tirath Lal by the contract killers.
Thousands of members of the VOP and other organisations gathered in the village and protested this killing. A heavy contingent of armed police led by the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Circle Officers and Station House Officers of various police stations were then stationed in the village. Two FIRs (First Information Reports) have been lodged against the leaders and members of the VOP and some of the villagers. The leader of VOP, Mr. Parvez Rizvi has been named in both the FIRs. One FIR has been lodged under sections 307, 322, 334, 352, 147, 148 and 149 IPC in which 5 persons have been named and the second FIR has been lodged under sections 353, 336, 506, 427, 352, 436, 392, 147, 148 and 149 IPC.
Background Information: Hari Lal, a dalit, was active in organising the labourers and the marginalised people against the corruption in MNREGA in Manjhanpur, Kaushambi and Sarsawan blocks of Kaushambi District and on several occasions, he along with other leaders lead thousands of labourers to the District Headquarters against the looting by contractors, the gram pradhan and officers in the implementation of the welfare scheme. On one occasion, the District Magistrate of Kaushambi was compelled to come to the Rally of the labourers and promise to distribute the unpaid wages and on many occasions, Block Development Officers were gheraoed for hours and compelled to distribute the wages.
Hari Lal, along with the other leaders of VOP, also played a main role in building a strong trade union of Bidi (cheroot) Workers under the banner of “Kaushambi Bidi Mazdoor Manch” and on 01.07.2010 about 4000 Bidi Workers and their supporters held a massive rally in district headquarters Manjhanpur under the leadership of Parvez Rizvi, Hari Lal and others.
It has been reported that the constant fight of VOP and Hari Lal against corruption had infuriated the Mafia elements who also had the support of the police. It is to be noted that the Kaushambi Police was apparently informed in advance that the life of Hari Lal was in danger and the Mafia elements had threatened to kill him but the Kaushambi Police maintained a mysterious silence and after the brutal murder of Hari Lal, under the pretext of maintaining law and order, the Kaushambi police is harassing and arresting the leaders of VOP and the villagers.
Appeal:
– Conduct an impartial investigation into the killing of human rights defender Hari Lal;
– Bring the perpetrators to justice by ensuring that all the killers and the persons behind the murder of Hari Lal are booked under the appropriate sections of law;
– All charges against the human rights defenders of Voice of People and the innocent villagers of Lahna are dropped;
– Ensure that all human rights defenders can freely conduct legitimate activities promoting and protecting human rights, in accordance with the Protection of Human Rights Act and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
*Please write to the persons mentioned below seeking for an intervention in this case.
Addresses:
1. Mr. A. K. Parashar
Deputy Registrar (Law) Focal Point for HRDs
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi
INDIA
Mobile: +91 9810298900
Fax No. +91 11-23384012
Email ID: hrd-nhrc@nic.in
2. The Chief Minister
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh State
INDIA
Email: cmup@up.nic.in
3. Chief Secretary
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh State
INDIA
Email: csup@up.nic.in
4. DIG of Police
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Email: uppcc@up.nic.in, digcomplaint-up@nic.in
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
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