[stop-imf] Urgent Action Alert for Dr. Vineeta Gupta

[Robert Weissman]

>URGENT ACTION NEEDED
>
>June 6, 2001
>Insaaf International / Center for Economic Justice
>
>Summary
>Dr. Vineeta Gupta is General Secretary of Insaaf International, a
>Punjab-based human rights group committed to social justice, where she
>works on efforts to disclose the harmful effects of World Bank user fees
>on health care. Dr. Gupta is a board member of the Center for Economic
>Justice and a member of the World Bank Bonds Boycott International
>Citizens' Watch.
>
>As a result of her human rights work, she has received a great deal of
>harassment from the Government of India and the state of Punjab. In recent
>weeks, this harassment has intensified. Insaaf International and Center
>for Economic Justice demand a complete stop to further harassment,
>forgery, and vicious threats to Dr. Vineeta Gupta's life, family, and
>property. Furthermore, these organizations appeal to all national and
>international bodies and individuals to voice their concern against the
>illegal detention and victimization of Dr. Gupta and protest the raid on
>the hospital where she works. We demand that the Indian government ensure
>the safety of Dr. Gupta and appeal for action against the guilty.
>
>Action Requested
>
>Using the sample letter below, please:
>Send email to Indian Ambassador at: amb-washington@indiagov.org
>Send email to the Indian Home Minister at: mhaweb@mha.delhi.nic.in
>
>If you or your organization can send a fax to the following, it would be
>most helpful:
>Prime Minister Vajpayee: 91-11-3016857
>Chief Minister Badal: 91-172-742488
>Principal Secretary of Punjab Health Systems Verma: 91-175-742663, 741193
>
>Please send copies of your correspondence to vineetag@sancharnet.in
>
>
>Sample Letter
>
>
>Dear Sir/Madam:
>
>It has come to our attention that Dr. Vineeta Gupta, a human rights
>activist in Punjab, India, has been facing intimidation and ill treatment
>by government authorities in Punjab. Dr. Vineeta Gupta is General
>Secretary of Insaaf International, a Bhatinda-based human rights group
>committed to social justice, where she works, among other things, on
>disclosing the harmful effects of World Bank user fees on health. Dr.
>Gupta is also a board member for the Center for Economic Justice. As a
>result of her human rights work, she has received a great deal of
>harassment from the Government of India and the state of Punjab.
>
>On February 20, 2001, 25 plain-clothed policemen raided Kishori Ram
>Hospital where she works, without any legal orders. On February 22, 2001,
>the Deputy Commissioner of Bhatinda, Punjab, detained her illegally and
>threatened to forge cases against her. It is quite clear that government
>officials are trying to curb her freedom of expression to call attention
>to harmful World Bank policies. In protest of the massive corruption and
>mal-administration of the Punjab Government Health Department, she
>resigned from her position on August 8, 1997. It is standard procedure
>that if one does not hear back from the government after three months, the
>resignation is accepted.  There is also a Government Employee Conduct Rule
>that a government employee may not be permitted to communicate with the
>press, make public utterances or make any statement of fact or opinion
>that may have an adverse effect or bring criticism to any current policy
>or action of the government. After three years, the Punjab Government has
>refused to grant her a resignation. Therefore, the government claims she
>has violated the aforementioned Conduct Rule.
>
>There have been three cases against Dr. Gupta filed in court. The first
>was found in favor of Dr. Gupta when the courts realized that an
>illiterate man had filed the complaint and that he was made to sign blank
>papers. The second case revolved around the fact that she was being
>trumped up on charges of forged documents, a claim that was negated by the
>inquiry officer assigned to the case. Finally in a third instance, State
>government officials physically removed documents and medical certificates
>that show that Dr. Gupta was suffering from a back problem and was
>prescribed compete bed rest, in order to transfer her post to a remote village.
>
>It is clear that these cases are being brought against Dr. Gupta because
>of her social activism. She is currently running a campaign to stop a
>community children's hospital from being closed and sold for commercial
>purposes. She is also heavily involved in organizing a public protest
>against the World Bank-funded Punjab Health Corporation responsible for
>abolishing subsidized user fee structure for low-income families.
>
>International organizations, along with Insaaf International, demand a
>halt to further intimidation of Dr. Gupta and her family. Furthermore, we
>request your help in investigation in the illegal activities against Dr.
>Gupta. We trust you will take speedy action to ensure that justice
>prevails for all.
>
>Respectfully yours,
>
>_____________________ (Name)
>______________________(Organization)
>
>
>
>For more information, please contact Vineeta Gupta at
>vineetag@sancharnet.in<http:///>   or Roli Khare at rkhare@gwu.edu