Denying bail to Umar Khalid a ‘big blow’ to right to peaceful protest: Amnesty India

Amnesty International India on Thursday said that denying bail to activist Umar Khalid was a “big blow” to the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

“Umar’s continued detention for over 18 months comes against the backdrop of a rapidly shrinking space for critical voices and sets a chilling precedent for anyone whose views the authorities disagree with,” Aakar Patel, the chairperson of human rights watchdog’s India board said in a statement.

This is Amnesty International India’s first statement since its offices in the country were closed down in September 2020.

Amnesty International India said that the Umar Khalid’s detention was against international human rights laws. It alleged that the Indian government uses UAPA to intimidate those who are critical of the authorities.

“UAPA is India’s draconian anti-terror law which is characterised by slow investigative processes and stringent bail provisions. It is a tool that effectively criminalises peaceful dissent by ensuring human rights defenders and other critical voices face many years behind bars,” the organisation said.

The Delhi Court on Thursday denied bail to activist Umar Khalid in the UAPA case which alleges a larger conspiracy in the northeast Delhi violence in 2020.

Umar Khalid was arrested on 13 September, 2020.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat pronounced the order today after reserving it earlier this month and the detailed order to follow.

While appearing for young activist Khalid who is critical of Hindutva ideology and BJP government, Senior Advocate Trideep Pais had argued that the entire chargesheet filed by Delhi Police in FIR 59/2020 is a fabrication and that the case against him is based on the video clips run by Republic TV and News 18 showing a truncated version of his speech.