The life imprisonment of Dr Binayak Sen
BMJ 2011; 342 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d262 (Published 19 January 2011) Cite this as: BMJ 2011;342:d262
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Almost as though in response to the subcaption calling for
international action, the following news report has just appeared:
EU OBSERVERS FOR BINAYAK SEN'S TRIAL
Daniele Smadja, Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU)
to India, said that apart from the EU, individual member-States such as
Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Sweden
would [also] send their observers for the hearing [of the bail application
of Binayak Sen on January 24].
http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/22/stories/2011012259180100.htm
Competing interests: I was the lead author of this editorial.
Sadly, the 21st century has seen a spate of state-sponsored sadistic
schemes to incarcerate great human rights activists, thus suggesting that
these states callously regard their citizens as serfs and slaves. To quote
Lord Acton, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re:The life imprisonment of Dr Binayak Sen
This situation highlights the whole problem of the fact that "in
today's economically driven society, commerce drives international
relations." Multinational companies have only one aim, to make as much
money as possible for themselves and their shareholders, with virtually no
care for the resulting effects on the environment, on the local
population, or on the health of planet earth. This is much more easily
achieved if the target area for exploitation is inhabited by people who
are poor and without political influence.
Lake Titicaca in Peru/Bolivia is being poisoned by the extraction of
copper by a foreign company. The locals are suffering disease and a loss
of food from the poisoning of the fish.
Donald Trump decided to build a golf course (and a millionaires'
housing scheme) in Scotland in an area designated as being of special
scientific interest. This was originally turned down by the local
designated planning committee, but the chairman was sacked and the plan
approved.[1] [2] A few local (unimportant) people who refused to sell their
properties have been threatened with possible compulsory purchase orders.[3]
The wealthy, politically powerful Americans living round the Gulf of
Mexico obtained huge publicity, and compensation from BP, for the oil
spill which occurred recently. By contrast nothing is heard or done about
the very poor (and unimportant) people who live in an equally important
natural habitat in the Niger delta in Nigeria, even though they have
suffered vastly greater oil spills which have destroyed the environment
and are causing terrible health problems.
This makes me very anxious about the potential dangers of allowing
the NHS to be run by money making businesses. After all even in a wealthy
country, the USA, with politically aware people the health care costs are
extremely high and the very poor are left with virtually no care.
1. Carrell S. 'World's best golf course' approved - complete with 23 acre eyesore. The Guardian 2008, Tues 4 Nov, main section, p11.
2. Jenkins S. Scotland's gullible politicians are the victims of a Trump try on. The tycoon's plans are about luxury holiday homes, not fairways. It will be an environmental outrage if they go ahead. The Guardian 2008, Fri 13 June p38, also www.guardian.co.uk, Thurs 12 June.
3. Donald Trump's golf resort plans hit the rough after mass purchase of land. Billionaire responds with plan to pursue compulsory purchase and rename site of special scientific interest. The Guardian 2010, Thurs 27 May p 10, also www.guardian.co.uk, Wed 26 May.
Competing interests: No competing interests