A coalition of international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, has issued a joint statement urging the Indian government to promptly release human rights advocate and student activist, umar Khalid. The appeal comes as Khalid approaches the fifth anniversary of his detention without a trial. Aakar Patel, chair of the board at Amnesty India, voiced strong concerns regarding the situation.

“The Government of India must immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender and student activist Umar Khalid who has been incarcerated for five long years without trial on politically motivated charges,” Patel stated. He added, “Starved of justice, Khalid’s prolonged persecution exemplifies the derailment of justice in India as it makes a mockery of international human rights principles. The repeated bail denials combined with persistent delays,and the continued absence of trial proceedings,amount to a violation of Khalid’s right to a fair and speedy trial,guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),to which India is a state party,as well as under the Constitution of India.”

Patel also criticized the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), stating, “In India, the overbroad unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is routinely and selectively used against human rights defenders including journalists, civil society activists and students who remain imprisoned without trial such as Khalid. The application of bail standards in such cases is also discriminatory as similarly situated accused have been granted bail while Khalid continues to be repeatedly denied relief. All this really demonstrates India’s deep fear of human rights defenders like Umar Khalid who dare to dissent.”

According to Patel, Khalid’s detention reflects a broader pattern of repression against those exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.He noted that other activists, including Gulfisha Fatima, Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, Shifa-ur-Rehman, and Meeran Haider, remain detained for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). patel also highlighted the impunity enjoyed by police officials and political leaders allegedly involved in inciting violence during the 2020 anti-CAA protests, calling it a case of selective prosecution aimed at criminalizing dissent.

Starved of justice, Khalid’s prolonged persecution exemplifies the derailment of justice in India as it makes a mockery of international human rights principles.

Background

The case of Umar Khalid has drawn international attention to India’s human rights record and the application of laws like the UAPA. Khalid’s supporters maintain his innocence and argue that his detention is politically motivated.