Amnesty International urges India to release men detained for celebrating Pakistan's ICC victory

At least 19 people were arrested for celebrating Pakistan's victory over India

Amnesty International, on Wednesday, called for the immediate release of 19 people arrested by Indian authorities for celebrating Pakistan cricket team's win against India in the final of ICC Champions Trophy in England.

In a press release, the organisation expressed concern over the arrest, terming it as "another worrying sign of the erosion of freedom of expression in India".



"These arrests are patently absurd, and the 19 men should be released immediately," said Asmita Basu, the Programme Director of Amnesty International India. "Even if the arrested men had supported Pakistan, as the police claim, that is not a crime. Supporting a sporting team is a matter of individual choice, and arresting someone for cheering a rival team clearly violates their right to freedom of expression."

The Madhya Pradesh police, on Monday, arrested at least 15 people while four others were arrested by Karnataka police accusing them of raising 'pro-Pakistan' and 'anti-Indian' slogans while celebrating Pakistan's victory with fire crackers.

According to Amnesty, accused of spreading "communal disharmony", they were detained on account of sedition - defined by Section 124A of the Indian Penal code as "any act or attempt to bring into hatred or contempt, or… excite disaffection towards the government."



Criticising the law, Basu said "these cases show just why the sedition law should be immediately repealed. This law is excessively broad and vague and makes it easy to silence people who are legitimately exercising their right to freedom of expression."

"Nobody should have to go to prison merely because they are accused of causing offence," she stressed. "The sedition law has no place in a rights-respecting society, let alone one that has a proud tradition of pluralism and debate."