DR BINAYAK SEN

Early day motion 1441, tabled 6 May 2009 by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour). Signed by 48 members.

That this House is concerned that Dr Binayak Sen, a public health and human rights campaigner in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, has been detained for nearly two years on what Amnesty International considers politically-motivated and trumped-up charges to silence his dissent of State authorities and activities; is aware that Chhattisgarh is of particular interest to the UK as one of six focus states of India for the Department for International Development; is concerned that there have been repeated delays in giving Dr Sen a fair trial and that he has been denied his constitutional right to bail repeatedly; recognises Dr Sen's contribution to community health and human rights as attested by the award of the 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights; expresses concern about the deterioration of Dr Sen's health due to lack of appropriate medical care; and therefore calls on the Chhattisgarh state government to release Dr Sen immediately on bail pending a fair and prompt trial so that he is able to carry out his work as a public health and human rights activist without harassment and free from fear; and calls also on the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in this grave case of violation of human rights.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 15, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.