Indigenous Peoples Advocate Arrested for “Sedition”

Upendra Nayak, a 65 year old lawyer who defends the rights of indigenous Adivasi people, was arrested by the Odisha state police in eastern India on 20 February 2018 for his alleged links with Maoist armed groups, in relation to cases registered by the police over eight years ago. Upendra Nayak faces charges including ‘sedition’ under the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the draconian anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment.

Upendra Nayak, a 65 year old lawyer who defends the rights of indigenous Adivasi people, was arrested by the Odisha state police in eastern India on 20 February 2018 for his alleged links with Maoist armed groups, in relation to cases registered by the police over eight years ago. Upendra Nayak faces charges including ‘sedition’ under the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the draconian anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Upendra Nayak, and drop fabricated charges against him.
• Ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference, in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers
• Urge the central government to repeal Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises ‘sedition’,and repeal the the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act or amend it to bring it in line with international human rights law and standards.

Contact these two officials by 12 April, 2018:

Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik Odisha Secretariat 3rd Floor Bhubaneshwar-751001 Odisha, India Phone: +91 674 2530700 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Chief Minister

Ambassador H.E. Navtej Sarna, Embassy of India 2107 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20008 Phone: 1 202 939 7000 | Fax: 1 202 265 4351 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @NavtejSarna Facebook: https://goo.gl/FxcMH7 Salutation: Dear Ambassador

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