Dear Members,
Yesterday the Delhi High Court in India sentenced
four journalists to four months of imprisonment
citing "contempt of court" as the reason for their
sentencing. And what had the journalists done? They
had exposed the cozy relationship between the sons
of a senior judge's sons and some unscrupulous real
estate developers. We believe that this is clear
evidence, if any was ever required, that the Indian
political system is vastly different from what it's
proponents tout. This kind of behavior comes from
kangaroo courts in banana republics.
We invite our members and readers to please send
strong protests to the following authorities. Draft
protest messages are added for your convenience:
1. Dr Manmohan Singh,
Honorable Prime Minister of India
Contact through:
http://pmindia.nic.in/write.htm
Dear Dr Singh,
I would like to strongly protest the sentences
issued by the Delhi High Court against four Mid Day
journalists. This is the kind of behavior that is a
hallmark of third rate dictatorships that punish
individuals for speaking the truth. What ahs been
demonstrated through this incident is that India is
little more than a dictatorship out to stifle it's
own people initially and which would use military
might to bully other nations if given an
opportunity.
Sincerely,
_____________
(Name, Location, etc)
2. Mr George Bush,
Honorable President of the USA
Contact through:
[email protected]
Please send a Cc to
[email protected]
Dear Mr President and Mr Vice
President,
The Government of India has allowed the imprisonment
of four journalists for exposing a case of
corruption by a senior judge. The imprisonment of
journalists anywhere in the world is not just a
matter of concern, it is also a demonstration that
the nation that allows this is a dictatorship not
committed to decency in its day to day affairs.
India is a country with which the USA has a proposed
nuclear co-operation agreement. Today we see Indians
bullied within their country by their government.
How long before India uses this armed might to bully
other nations for equally frivolous reasons? And if
this were t0o happen, the US would be a party to
Indian misbehavior.
We request you to please reconsider any military or
nuclear co-operation with such a tin pot
dictatorship. India does not deserve any support as
long as its courts deny Indian journalists the right
to speak freely.
Sincerely,
_____________
(Name, Location, etc)
3. Mr Ban Ki Moon
Honorable Secretary General of the United Nations
Contact:
[email protected]
Draft:
Dear Mr Secretary General,
The Government of India has allowed the Delhi High
Court to imprison four journalists for exposing
corruption by a senior judge in that country. This
is atrocious and a violation of every norm of decent
behavior by a nation.
We request that this gross violation of human rights
by the Indian government be taken up at the United
Nations and condemned as the anti freedom measure
that it is. Failure to take action against this
would lay journalists and freedom and truth loving
people open to public discrimination everywhere.
Hoping to hear of quick action at your end,
---------------------
(Name, Location, etc)
Sir/Madam,
You would be aware of the sentencing of four
journalists in India to four months imprisonment for
exposing corruption in the Indian judiciary. I would
like to vehemently protest this criminal abuse of
power by the Indian government.
I would also like to suggest that in protest against
this thuggish behavior, you please urge fellow
journalists to boycott all press conferences and
events organized by Indian missions outside India
and also to avoid carrying any non essential news
about India until these people are freed. failure to
do this would only prolong the agony of four people
who have done no wrong. We hope that you would take
these steps to support these people as the CPJ is
the organization dedicated to protecting journalists
everywhere.
Thank you,
-----------------
(Name, Location, etc)
We would appreciate hearing from
members who have sent these messages. Please note
that this might take a few minutes of your time. To
ignore this would mean that we ignore a horrendous
abuse of human rights by the government of one of
the most powerful military powers on earth.
Thank you in advance for voicing your protests,
Mukto-Mona Moderation Team
