Front Line is deeply saddened by news of the killing of human rights defender Mr Amit Jethwa in Gujarat on 20 July 2010. Amit Jethwa was a Public Interest Law Practitioner and Right to Information (RTI) Activist.

On 20 July 2010, Amit Jethwa was shot dead as he approached his car after leaving the Gujarat High Court building where he had been meeting with his lawyer. Witnesses in the vicinity of the shooting reported seeing Amit Jethwa being approached by two individuals on a motorcycle. After being shot the human rights defender was able to throw himself at his assailants and knock them from their motorcycle. They fled on foot, leaving behind the vehicle, the revolver and a bag. Amit Jethwa died at the scene prior to the arrival of the ambulance.

Amit Jethwa had filed several petitions in the Gujarat High Court against the forest department. On the day of the killing he had been meeting with his lawyer in relation to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that he had filed in June. The PIL concerned illegal mining in the Gir forests of Junagadh district on the Kathiawar peninsula in Western Gujarat. Amit Jethwa had alleged that mining activities were being carried out in the Una and Kodinar areas by family members of a local member of parliament. He had furthermore alleged that the same politician was running illegal mines and stone crushing in another village bordering the Gir forest.

Front Line believes that Amit Jethwa was killed as a direct result of his human rights activities, particularly in relation to allegations he had made into illegal mining activities and corruption in the Gir forests.

Front Line urges the Indian authorities to:

1.Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the assassination of Amit Jethwa, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2.Guarantee in all circumstancess that human rights defenders in India are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.