Human Rights Watch (HRW) has implored the European Union (EU), particularly President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners, to address the ongoing human rights violations in India during their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27. HRW, together with other rights organizations, has penned a letter urging the EU to confront the Indian government’s human rights abuses and ensure the protection of its citizens’ rights.
HRW has voiced criticism over the EU’s silence regarding India’s suppression of human rights activists, journalists, and minorities, suggesting that such silence fosters impunity and leads to further rights violations. The joint letter underscores the EU’s hesitance to publicly denounce these actions. This includes the misuse of anti-terrorism laws, like the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), against human rights defenders, governmental critics, and journalists.
Additionally, concerns have been raised over India’s implementation of discriminatory laws, notably the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, which facilitates citizenship for refugees from certain religious minorities but excludes Muslims. HRW has also highlighted the government’s failure to resolve violent conflicts in Manipur and hold perpetrators accountable for human rights abuses.
The organizations have condemned the Indian government’s technological measures to quell dissent and peaceful protests, such as Internet shutdowns and the deployment of privacy-invading tools like spyware. These actions, they argue, stifle freedom of expression and assembly.
HRW stresses that the EU needs to advocate for the release of imprisoned activists and urge the amendment of national legislation that curtails human rights and freedom of speech. The organization believes that a meaningful partnership between the EU and India should embrace open scrutiny and critique, encouraging reformative measures in India.
HRW’s appeal precedes the European Commission’s scheduled visit to New Delhi, amid growing concerns about the Indian government’s intensified crackdown on activists and civil society organizations. Concerns have also been raised over controversial data protection legislation, anticipated to impinge on privacy rights.
More information on this appeal can be found in the full article.