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Accused in Parliament attack may not get fair trial: Amnesty

"Pre-trial proceedings appear to have been flawed and the schedule of hearings, that commenced from Monday, indicates that the speed at which the trial is to be conducted may violate the defendants' right to present a full defence," Amnesty said in an open letter to Union Law Minister Jana Krishnamurthy.

Also, the organisation said, 'the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), under which the accused are to be tried, is flawed and is likely to facilitate an unfair trial'.

"While acknowledging the obligation of state to uphold law and order and to protect their populations from violent criminal acts such as the attack on Parliament, Amnesty International is concerned that, in this context, protection of human rights is all too often relegated to second place," the letter said.

The organisation is particularly concerned that the accused could be sentenced to death if found guilty of the crimes with which they have been charged.

PTI

EXTERNAL LINK
Amnesty's open letter to the law minister

Complete Coverage: The Attack on Parliament

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