Bastar Tribals Accuse Amnesty International of Ignoring Their Suffering

 

A group of tribal residents from Bastar has issued an open letter to Amnesty International India, alleging that the organisation has neglected their suffering while focusing on the rights of Maoist terrorists.

 

The letter, written by victims of Maoist violence, claims that Amnesty has failed to highlight the hardships faced by those affected by Maoist activities in the region.

 

The tribals stated that they have been closely witnessing the violent actions of Maoists in Bastar and are deeply disappointed by what they perceive as Amnesty's one-sided narrative.

 

They accused the organisation of speaking in favour of individuals with Maoist ties, while ignoring the victims of Maoist violence.

 

The letter mentions several cases, including that of Dr. Binayak Sen, where Amnesty raised concerns, but the individuals were later convicted of having Maoist affiliations.

 

“We are the tribals who have experienced Maoist violence firsthand, but Amnesty has never raised its voice for us. Instead, it has supported those with proven Maoist connections,” the letter read.

 

The group questioned why Amnesty, which claims to advocate for human rights, has never addressed the violation of their rights by Maoists.

 

The letter also accused Amnesty International of publishing reports that are biased towards the Maoists and do not represent the complete truth of the situation in Bastar.

 

“Whenever Amnesty releases a report on Bastar, it only presents the Maoists' side, ignoring the voices of those who have suffered at their hands,” the tribals wrote.

 

The signatories demanded that Amnesty include the perspectives of Maoist victims in its future reports, especially when covering the situation in Bastar.

 

They called for the organisation to acknowledge their plight and ensure that both sides of the conflict are represented.

 

Amnesty International India has yet to respond to the allegations made by the tribal victims from Bastar.

 

The organisation has previously been involved in human rights advocacy in conflict-affected areas across India, including Bastar, where the Maoist terrorism remains a significant issue.

 

The letter concludes with a request for Amnesty to take into consideration the voices of the Maoist victims in any future reports on Bastar or Naxalism.