Concern about arbitrary detention of five human rights defenders

 

 

Justice and Peace Netherlands is protesting against the arbitrary arrest of five human rights defenders of its Indian partners Dalit Foundation (DF) and People’s Watch (PW).

 

As a part of a fact-finding mission, five trainees of the DF and PW Dalit youth programme were welcomed at the police station in Veeravanallur Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District on August 15. They came to enquire about an alleged torture case of a Dalit youth by police officials of the station.

 

Arbitrary arrest

At first the police seemed to cooperate into the investigation, but then they were arbitrarily arrested. Subsequently they were transported to the house of the Judicial Magistrate in Cheranmahadevi for judicial custody. After a medical examination in the hospital they were finally sent to prison, the three women activists to the Kokarakulam Women Sub Jail in Tirunelveli while the two men were taken to the Ambasamuthram Sub Jail. All are still being held.

 

Justitia et Pax Netherlands is deeply concerned about their situation and is protesting their arbitrary arrest.

 

Training programme

The Dalit Foundation and People’s Watch, partners of Justice and Peace Netherlands, organise regular training programmes for Dalit youth in order to help them in the reporting of offences committed towards the Dalit community. Part of the training usually involves an actual fact-finding mission in order to develop the practical skills needed in effective reporting.