Dr Kafeel Khan writes to UNHRC | alleges 'misuse of draconian NSA & UAPA to crush dissent'
The Gorakhpur based Dr. Kafeel Khan has written to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) alleging 'misuse of draconian NSA & UAPA to crush dissent' over his arrest.
Khan in his letter informed the UN body about "widespread violations of international human rights standards in India and misuse of draconian laws like NSA and UAPA to suppress voices of dissent".
While thanking UNHRC for urging the Indian government to protect the human rights of the activists in India who were arrested for "Peacefully protesting against CAA," and said that the GOI "has not listened to their appeal".
Back on June 26, the UN body had written to the Government of India over 11 cases involving that of Dr. Kafeel Khan & Sharjeel Imam. "serious allegations of human rights violations, several relating to due process failings during arrest and detention, as well as allegations of torture and ill-treatment," the letter said.
"Authorities continue to invoke counter-terrorism and national security legislations using procedural police powers against these human rights defenders for raising issues which would affect India's poorest and most marginalized community, violating international human rights standards," Dr. Turned activist Khan wrote.
Dr. Khan also alleges torture during his jail time:
In January, a special task force of Uttar Pradesh police arrested Dr. Khan from Mumbai after his alleged inflammatory statements at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) during a protest against the CAA on December 12, 2019, and was later charged under the National Security Act (NSA). "I was tortured mentally and physically and also denied food and water for many days and treated inhumanely during my 7 months of incarceration in a congested, overcrowded Mathura prison. Fortunately, I got the NSA and all 3 extensions of detention quashed by the high court, which called the whole process illegal," Dr. Khan describing his time in the jail.
Dr. Khan was released recently this month following an order by the Allahabad High court, which dismissed the charges against him. “Does not disclose any effort to promote hatred or violence,” the court said while issuing the order of his release. On September 2, Dr. Khan was released from the Mathura jail.
Turn of events after Dr. Khan's release from jail:
Congress General Secy for UP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Dr. Kafeel Khan & his family in Delhi after he got released from jail on September 2. Dr. Khan told PTI over the phone call that he will "not join any political party". Dr. Khan while making it clear that he will not join INC said, "Because of the apprehension that I could be implicated in any other case by the Uttar Pradesh government, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had helped me on humanitarian grounds".
Dr. Khan also told about his plans to help the needy. "I am a doctor and would like to remain the same," he said and expressed a desire to visit flood-hit areas of Bihar and help the victims.
Dr. Khan also has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging him to reinstate him to his post at Gorakhpur Medical College so that he can serve the people.
