Civil society collective present manifesto

People's collective, Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy (MRSD), has come out with a manifesto for what it describes against state suppression.

It demanded that stop the crackdown on protestors, activists, civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers, students, academicians, workers, RTI activists, farmers, whistleblowers, Adivasis, Dalits, minorities exercising their right to dissent and withdraw all actions, cases and proceedings filed against them across the country.

The MSRD comprises several NGOs and organisations including People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR), Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI), Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI), Student Islamic Organisation (SIO), National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD and Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS).

They demanded that capital punishment should be abolished.

The MRSD called for ensuring implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Declaration on Human Rights Defenders).

The collective also called for repeal of draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and release of all those falsely implicated under the law.

Besides, it also called for immediate release of human rights activists and civil right defenders arrested and falsely criminalized in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case and withdrawal of criminal cases foisted against them.

It called for stopping the attacks on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech and expression, association and assembly.

"Promote free and independent media and ensure the protection of media houses from vindictive action and vexatious litigations. Ensure unfettered access to online information resources by removing restrictions on access to national and international news websites and social media outlets and the websites of civil society organisations. Ensure that internet shutdowns and network blackouts are not undertaken to restrict people’s peaceful protests," the manifesto said.