'Save Afzal Guru' campaign lauched in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 1 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), an amalgam of eight non-profit and non-governmental organisations, today launched a 'Save Afzal Guru' signature campaign, seeking re-trial of the Parliament attack case as had been done in the Jessica Lall murder case.

Giving details about the campaign, JKCCS President Parvez Imroz claimed that the trial conducted in the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack case was ''unfair'' and not according to international standards as prescribed by organisations such as International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Amnesty International.

He said Mohammad Afzal Guru, convicted and sentenced to death in the case, has been a ''victim of media trial'' which started immediately after his arrest in New Delhi.

A Delhi court on September 26 had ordered Guru to be hanged till death in Tihar jail on October 20 for masterminding the terror attack on Parliament.

Mr Imroz, a human rights lawyer who also spearheads the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), said the campaign would be held for seven days, starting from today.

He said prominent opinion makers, leaders of civil society and human rights organisations across the world would be mobilised during the campaign to save Guru the gallows.

Mr Imroz said the campaign would stress more on retrial than on seeking presidential clemency for Guru as that part has been taken care of by his family.

He said the outcome of the campaign would be disclosed at a news conference here on October 9.

UNI AG VD KP1956