UN rights chief tells India to safeguard rights of NGOs; MEA says law violations can't be condoned
4 years, 2 months ago

UN rights chief tells India to safeguard rights of NGOs; MEA says law violations can't be condoned

Firstpost  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet specifically cited as “worrying” the use of FCRA, which prohibits the receipt of foreign funds “for any activities prejudicial to the public interest.” New Delhi: India on Tuesday strongly reacted to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s concern over restrictions on NGOs and arrest of activists, saying violations of law cannot be condoned under the pretext of human rights and a more informed view of the matter was expected of the UN body. “We have seen some comments by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on an issue relating to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. “India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally,” she said in a statement. Bachelet specifically cited as “worrying” the use of the FCRA, which prohibits the receipt of foreign funds “for any activities prejudicial to the public interest.” As per the amended FCRA law, furnishing of Aadhaar numbers by office-bearers of NGOs has become mandatory for registration.

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History of this topic

Aakar Patel | India, as a UNSC aspirant, should not ignore UN on human rights
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Aakar Patel | India, as a UNSC aspirant, should not ignore UN on human rights

Deccan Chronicle  

The United Nations Security Council has 15 members — five permanent and 10 elected. India has been a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 16 of the council’s 18 years — most recently from 2019 to 2024. India has been the subject of 25 critical statements from UN human rights experts and UHCHR since 2019 — during its …

India rejects UN top human rights official’s comments on foreign influence laws
6 months ago

India rejects UN top human rights official’s comments on foreign influence laws

India TV News  

India has rejected comments by the United Nations’ top human rights official on foreign influence laws, stating that principles of “transparency and accountability cannot be applied selectively”. India’s Permanent Representative of India to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, said that he “humbly disagrees” with reference to India made by UN High Commissioner for Human …

Why NHRC’s international accreditation is under review | Explained
7 months, 1 week ago

Why NHRC’s international accreditation is under review | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: How free and fair is India’s National Human Rights Commission? Per the Paris Principles, the NHRIs should have “broad constitutional and/or legislative mandates that cover all human rights; independence; an array of express human rights promotion and protection responsibilities; a pluralist representation; adequate funding; and responsibilities to cooperate, consult and interact with UN bodies, regional organizations, …

Largest democracy India’s NHRC should be a flagbearer for human rights. Is it?
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Largest democracy India’s NHRC should be a flagbearer for human rights. Is it?

Hindustan Times  

National human rights institutions worldwide have evolved as key actors in promoting and protecting human rights. India’s national human rights institution Until the late 1990s, India lacked an instrumental mechanism for safeguarding human rights. Arguably, a face-saving gesture against concerns donor countries’ apprehensions regarding human rights abuses in various regions of the country during the economic crisis of 1990. The …

Geneva-based UN-related body to review India’s human rights accreditation status this week
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Geneva-based UN-related body to review India’s human rights accreditation status this week

The Hindu  

The National Human Rights Commission is preparing to defend the government’s human rights processes at a meeting in Geneva this week, where a decision on whether India’s human rights body will retain its “A status” is expected to be made. When asked about Wednesday’s meeting, the sources said although the government is confident of having its A status restored, it …

'Deeply biased, poor understanding': India slams US report on human rights abuses
7 months, 4 weeks ago

'Deeply biased, poor understanding': India slams US report on human rights abuses

India TV News  

New Delhi: India on Thursday sharply criticised a United States report on human rights abuses in India, saying it reflects a "deeply biased and poor understanding" of the country. The 2023 Human Rights Report by the US State Department mentioned "credible reports" of various human rights abuses in India, including the Manipur ethnic violence and "transnational repression" like the murder …

UAPA, financial regulations being misused to target scribes, activists, say international rights groups
1 year, 2 months ago

UAPA, financial regulations being misused to target scribes, activists, say international rights groups

The Hindu  

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and 10 other international rights groups have jointly condemned what they termed as Indian authorities’ misuse of counter-terrorism laws, financial regulations, and other laws to “silence journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and critics of the government”. The statement also highlighted the alleged targeting of activist Teesta Setalvad, the Income Tax department’s raids at the BBC’s …

Citing ‘inadequate progress’ on rights front, India urges Sri Lanka to keep its promises
1 year, 3 months ago

Citing ‘inadequate progress’ on rights front, India urges Sri Lanka to keep its promises

The Hindu  

India on Tuesday said the progress made by Sri Lanka, on its commitment to fulfill the Tamils’ aspirations, was “inadequate” and urged the island nation to “work meaningfully” to keep its promises. However, progress on the same is inadequate and we urge the Government of Sri Lanka to work meaningfully towards early implementation of its commitments to ensure that the …

UN ‘concerned’ by harassment of human rights defenders in Bangladesh
1 year, 3 months ago

UN ‘concerned’ by harassment of human rights defenders in Bangladesh

Al Jazeera  

UN human rights chief Volker Turk calls on Dhaka to create a ‘safe’ environment for activists and civil society leaders. The United Nations rights body has expressed its concerns against the continued harassment and detention of human rights defenders in Bangladesh, including Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus and leaders of prominent rights organisation Odhikar. On Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human …

In a first, UN rights chief seeks presence in India and China
1 year, 6 months ago

In a first, UN rights chief seeks presence in India and China

Al Jazeera  

Volker Turk, who took over as UN body’s high commissioner late last year, calls for greater political support to establish office in India and China. The United Nations human rights chief has called for greater support for his office as he seeks to expand its work by establishing a first-time presence in the world’s two most populous countries, India and …

US slams India on human rights practices in its annual report
1 year, 9 months ago

US slams India on human rights practices in its annual report

Hindustan Times  

In an annual report on human rights practices in India, the United States State Department has highlighted challenges to freedom of expression, cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, the confiscation and destruction of property without due process, discrimination against minority groups and infringement on the freedom of association, among other issues, in 2022. US slams India on human …

US points at restrictions on freedom of expression in India
1 year, 9 months ago

US points at restrictions on freedom of expression in India

Live Mint  

The United States has urged India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments, according to the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the Biden Administration on March 20. The report cited significant human rights violations in India including alleged unlawful and arbitrary killings, challenges to freedom of press, interference with privacy, and violence targeting religious and …

US report lists ’significant human rights’ abuses in India
1 year, 9 months ago

US report lists ’significant human rights’ abuses in India

Live Mint  

The annual US report on human rights practices released on Monday listed "significant human rights issues" and abuses in India, including reported targeting of religious minorities, dissidents and journalists, the U.S. State Department said. Significant human rights issues in India have included credible reports of the government or its agents conducting extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment …

European Parliament Member Expresses Concerns About Human Rights Violations In India
1 year, 10 months ago

European Parliament Member Expresses Concerns About Human Rights Violations In India

Live Law  

While the coming into force of the Constitution marks an important moment in the history of India, the celebrations of this day are shadowed by urgent human rights violations in the country, said Finnish Green League politician and member of the European Parliament, Alviina Alametsä. Revealing that as the standing rapporteur for India in the European Union’s law-making body, she …

India intensified crackdown on activists, media in 2022: Human Rights Watch report
1 year, 11 months ago

India intensified crackdown on activists, media in 2022: Human Rights Watch report

The Hindu  

The Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2023 said that Indian authorities had “intensified and broadened” their crackdown on activist groups and the media through 2022, adding that the “Hindu nationalist” Bharatiya Janata Party-led government used “abusive and discriminatory policies to repress Muslims and other minorities”. “The BJP government’s promotion of Hindu majoritarian ideology provokes authorities and supporters to engage in …

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to lead Indian delegation at Human Rights Council
2 years, 1 month ago

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to lead Indian delegation at Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will lead the official Indian delegation to the Human Rights Council where the Fourth Universal Periodic Review will take place on November 10, the Ministry of External Affairs has announced. An official press release stated, India has been “engaged constructively” with the members of the UNHRC and others in the United Nations to support human rights …

U.S., Belgium to question India on CAA, minority rights, hate speech at U.N. Human Rights Council
2 years, 1 month ago

U.S., Belgium to question India on CAA, minority rights, hate speech at U.N. Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

Treatment of journalists and human rights defenders, Citizenship Amendment Act, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and custodial torture are expected to dominate the Universal Periodic Review of India at the Human Rights Council in Geneva that will take place on Thursday. In “Advance Questions” submitted to the Council, Belgium has called the Citizenship Amendment Act “anti-minority” and asked India if the …

all is not well with the indian economy | the view from india
2 years, 2 months ago

all is not well with the indian economy | the view from india

The Hindu  

The World Bank has revised its estimation of growth in the Indian economy from its initial expectation of 8.7% this year to a gloomier outlook of just 6.5%, citing the worsening external environment. India, China, and human rights at UN forums After the recent vote on Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council that we looked at in last week’s …

Aakar Patel | A benign mask for whole world; fangs bared to citizens at home
2 years, 5 months ago

Aakar Patel | A benign mask for whole world; fangs bared to citizens at home

Deccan Chronicle  

Having been kept busy by the government in various matters, I have not had the chance to catch up with the news much in the last couple of weeks. The first is that India and the European Union refer to themselves as “open and democratic societies”, which “emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights”. After this, …

India, EU reiterate mutual commitment to universal human rights
2 years, 5 months ago

India, EU reiterate mutual commitment to universal human rights

The Hindu  

India on Friday joined the European Union to “recognise” the “important role” of national human rights institutions, civil society actors and journalists as the two sides exchanged “concerns” over freedom of expression and “opinion online and offline”. The two sides held the 10th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue in New Delhi and reiterated mutual commitment to the universal human rights and …

The View From India | Looking back at the G7 Summit in Germany
2 years, 5 months ago

The View From India | Looking back at the G7 Summit in Germany

The Hindu  

This article forms a part of the View From India newsletter curated by The Hindu’s foreign affairs experts. Not for a diplomatic feat, but for the government’s apparently contradictory stances on the global stage and back at home, especially in regard to protecting media freedom. At the G7 summit held at the German resort of Schloss Elmau, Prime Minister Narendra …

'Completely Unwarranted': India Slams UN Human Rights for Comments on Action Against Setalvad
2 years, 5 months ago

'Completely Unwarranted': India Slams UN Human Rights for Comments on Action Against Setalvad

News 18  

India on Wednesday dismissed as “completely unwarranted” the remarks by the UN Human Rights office over the arrest of social activist Teesta Setalvad and said these comments “constitute an interference” in the country’s independent judicial system. The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced concern over the arrest and detention of social activist Setalvad and called …

From Russian Imports Row to LAC Issue: Times When Jaishankar Defended India with Hard-Hitting Retorts
2 years, 8 months ago

From Russian Imports Row to LAC Issue: Times When Jaishankar Defended India with Hard-Hitting Retorts

News 18  

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s strong rebuttal to the US on its criticism of “human rights abuses” in India at a joint news conference after the 2+2 dialogue has turned heads. From tearing into China over LAC issue to his tough response to UK and US on India’s stance over Russia-Ukraine crisis, here are some instances when Jaishankar’s savage responses …

‘We Too Have Views About Their Views’: Jaishankar's Retort to US Concern Over Human Rights in India
2 years, 8 months ago

‘We Too Have Views About Their Views’: Jaishankar's Retort to US Concern Over Human Rights in India

News 18  

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday made a strong rebuttal to the US on its criticism of “human rights abuses” in India, saying even New Delhi has concerns about human rights in America. Jaishankar’s riposte comes a day after he defended India’s Russian oil import and insisted that the US look closely at its western allies before suggesting New …

Human rights in India not discussed at 2+2 meeting: Jaishankar
2 years, 8 months ago

Human rights in India not discussed at 2+2 meeting: Jaishankar

The Hindu  

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that there was no discussion on human rights in India during the India-US ‘2+2’ foreign and defence minister dialogue in Washington on Monday. At a joint press conference on Monday, Mr. Blinken brought up human rights issues in India, saying, “We regularly engage with our Indian partners on these shared values. “But we …

Former VP Hamid Ansari, four US lawmakers express concern over human rights situation in India
2 years, 10 months ago

Former VP Hamid Ansari, four US lawmakers express concern over human rights situation in India

Firstpost  

The comments were made at a virtual panel discussion organised by the Indian-American Muslim Council on Wednesday Washington: Former vice-president Hamid Ansari and four US lawmakers have expressed concern over the current human rights situation in India. In recent years, we have seen an uptick in online hate speeches and acts of hate, including vandalised mosques, torched churches, and communal …

Centre has justified FCRA non-renewal for NGOs in Supreme Court
2 years, 11 months ago

Centre has justified FCRA non-renewal for NGOs in Supreme Court

The Hindu  

The non-renewal of the Foreign Contribution Act registration of the Missionaries of Charity citing “audit irregularities” comes shortly after a line of argument made by the government in the Supreme Court recently that NGOs have no fundamental right to receive “unbridled foreign contributions”. Foreign contributions, considering their nature and vast expanse of abuse, area tightly and controlled means.” the MHA …

On Human Rights Day, Kashmir rights groups decry India crackdown
3 years ago

On Human Rights Day, Kashmir rights groups decry India crackdown

Al Jazeera  

Activists in the disputed region under increasing pressure as New Delhi’s targeting of rights groups intensifies since 2019. ‘Too scared to do it anymore’ For decades, rights groups in Indian-administered Kashmir, including APDP and JKCCS, had been working to uphold and fight for human rights in the disputed region, revealing the human cost of the decades-long conflict and protesting to …

The Biden administration is enabling India’s human rights abuses
3 years ago

The Biden administration is enabling India’s human rights abuses

Al Jazeera  

On November 17, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken named 10 countries on the US government’s official list of the world’s worst offenders of religious freedom. A week later, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin flew to New Delhi on his first foreign visit to discuss “shared goals” with Modi but failed to mention India’s human rights abuses. In October, …

UN calls for release of Kashmir rights defender Khurram Parvez
3 years ago

UN calls for release of Kashmir rights defender Khurram Parvez

Al Jazeera  

Parvez, 44, coordinator of a local human rights group, was arrested on November 22 by India’s anti-terror investigation agency. “We are deeply concerned at the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under Indian counter-terrorism legislation, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act,” the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement on Wednesday. Parvez, 44, …

India arrests prominent Kashmir rights activist under terror law
3 years, 1 month ago

India arrests prominent Kashmir rights activist under terror law

Al Jazeera  

Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – India’s top anti-terrorism investigation agency has arrested prominent Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under a stringent terror law following a day-long raid at his office and residence in Indian-administered Kashmir. Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said Parvez’s arrest is “a really troubling development”. “We have seen human rights defenders arrested …

NGOs have no fundamental right to receive ‘unbridled foreign contributions’
3 years, 2 months ago

NGOs have no fundamental right to receive ‘unbridled foreign contributions’

The Hindu  

The Government has told the Supreme Court that NGOs have no fundamental right to receive “unbridled foreign contributions” without regulations. The petitioners had also found it cumbersome that the new law expected 23,000 NGOs to open accounts in the main branch of the SBI in the Capital to receive their foreign funds. The Government contended that the amendments were meant …

India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council with ‘overwhelming endorsement’
3 years, 2 months ago

India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council with ‘overwhelming endorsement’

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: India was on Thursday elected for a sixth term at the United Nations Human Rights Council and will now be among the body’s 47 members for the next three years. India was among five countries elected to the UN Human Rights Council from the group of Asia-Pacific states, the others being Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar and the United Arab …

New Norm To Accuse India Of Human Rights Violations At The Behest Of External Forces: Justice Arun Mishra
3 years, 2 months ago

New Norm To Accuse India Of Human Rights Violations At The Behest Of External Forces: Justice Arun Mishra

Live Law  

Underscoring that India believes in Sarva dharma sama bhava,, the Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission Justice Arun Mishra today said that it has become a new norm to accuse India of human rights violations at the behest of external forces. It has become a new norm to accuse India of human rights violations at the behest of external forces. …

‘Selective interpretation’: PM Modi says some describe human rights keeping their own interests in mind
3 years, 2 months ago

‘Selective interpretation’: PM Modi says some describe human rights keeping their own interests in mind

India TV News  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed those who engage in "selective interpretation" of human rights and look at its violation with an eye on political loss and gains, saying such conduct is harmful to these rights as well as democracy. Speaking at the 28th foundation day of the National Human Rights Commission, Modi said similar incidents are seen differently …

J&K curbs may violate human rights; use of UAPA worrying, says UNHRC chief
3 years, 3 months ago

J&K curbs may violate human rights; use of UAPA worrying, says UNHRC chief

Hindustan Times  

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Monday criticised the use of the Unlawful Activities Act across India as well as restrictions on public assembly and frequent communication blackouts in Jammu and Kashmir. In her opening statement at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Bachelet largely focused on the impact of the “triple planetary crises …

UN Special Rapporteurs remarks on Khori Gaon, SC order unfortunate: India
3 years, 5 months ago

UN Special Rapporteurs remarks on Khori Gaon, SC order unfortunate: India

Live Mint  

India on Saturday termed as “unfortunate” and “abuse of position” remarks by a group of UN human rights experts, who had called on New Delhi to halt evictions of about 100,000 people in Khori Gaon in Faridabad, saying they should desist from undermining upholding rule of law in any democratic society. The statement comes a day after the UN human …

New IT Rules | Concern highly misplaced, India tells Human Rights Council
3 years, 6 months ago

New IT Rules | Concern highly misplaced, India tells Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

The new IT rules of India were framed after extensive consultation with stakeholders and are meant to protect the rights of online users, India has conveyed to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The victims of abuse at social media platforms shall have a forum for redressal of their grievances,” said a special ‘brief’ that the Permanent Mission of India …

India’s IT rules do not conform with international human rights: UN Special Rapporteurs
3 years, 6 months ago

India’s IT rules do not conform with international human rights: UN Special Rapporteurs

Live Mint  

Experts from the United Nations have said that India’s new IT rules do not conform with international human rights norms. In a communication sent to the government on June 11, three special rapporteurs from the UN expressed “serious concerns” with certain parts of the legislation, and said that “due diligence obligations” placed on intermediaries may lead to "infringement of a …

Akhand Bharat: The RSS' imperial pretensions
3 years, 8 months ago

Akhand Bharat: The RSS' imperial pretensions

The Hindu  

Very shortly after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, he cancelled a meeting of Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan for no other reason than that Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit had, as over the years in the past, invited Kashmir’s Hurriyat leaders to the High Commission office in New Delhi. A report by Anisha Dutta in Hindustan Times …

UN High Commissioner For Human Rights Raises Concern Over Misuse Of Sedition Law In India, Attempts To Curb Free Speech
3 years, 9 months ago

UN High Commissioner For Human Rights Raises Concern Over Misuse Of Sedition Law In India, Attempts To Curb Free Speech

Live Law  

"Charges of sedition against journalists and activists for reporting or commenting on the protests, & attempt to curb freedom of expression on social media are disturbing departures from essential human rights principles," said Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. 'Charges of sedition against journalists and activists for reporting or commenting on the protests, & attempt to curb freedom …

UN Rights Chief Expresses Concern Over Restrictions on NGOs, Arrest of Activists in India
4 years, 2 months ago

UN Rights Chief Expresses Concern Over Restrictions on NGOs, Arrest of Activists in India

News 18  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday expressed concern over the restrictions on foreign funding for non-governmental organisations in India and the arrest of activists in the country. "India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally," she said in a statement. …

NGOs Expected to Adhere to All Our Laws: MEA on Action Against Amnesty International
4 years, 2 months ago

NGOs Expected to Adhere to All Our Laws: MEA on Action Against Amnesty International

News 18  

Faced with criticism over action against human rights organisation Amnesty International, India on Thursday said it expects other governments not to condone contravention of the country's laws by any entity. "NGOs are expected to adhere to all our laws, including in respect of foreign funding just as they presumably would in other countries, including the US and in the European …

U.S., E.U. should not condone Amnesty International’s actions: Government
4 years, 2 months ago

U.S., E.U. should not condone Amnesty International’s actions: Government

The Hindu  

Responding sharply to the U.S. and the European governments for expressing their concerns about the investigations into the Amnesty International, the government said foreign governments must not condone NGOs that break Indian laws. Over the past few days, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the United Kingdom Foreign Office and the European Union have issued …

Constraining critique: The Hindu Editorial on Amnesty International halting India operations
4 years, 2 months ago

Constraining critique: The Hindu Editorial on Amnesty International halting India operations

The Hindu  

The role played by human rights organisations in documenting and questioning state functioning and excesses is a necessary component of civil society activism, which enhances democracy by securing accountability. Central governments in India have consistently registered discomfort with critical civil society organisations over the years, but the National Democratic Alliance-led government has taken steps to constrain groups even more, especially …

15 International Human Rights Organisations Release Statement Condemning Indian Government's Actions Against Amnesty India
4 years, 2 months ago

15 International Human Rights Organisations Release Statement Condemning Indian Government's Actions Against Amnesty India

Live Law  

A joint statement by 15 International organizations including Human Rights Watch has been released, condemning the Forced closure of Amnesty India. "Amnesty International India announced that it is halting its work in the country after the Indian government froze its bank accounts in an act of reprisal for the organization's human rights work. Fifteen international human rights organizations condemned the …

India must speak up for human rights at UNSC | Analysis
4 years, 4 months ago

India must speak up for human rights at UNSC | Analysis

Hindustan Times  

When India joins the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member in January 2021, it will confront a range of issues. When it joins the UNSC, it will have a choice: Align with rights-respecting countries or make common cause with countries such as China, Russia and Brazil that are trying to tear down the global rules-based legal system that …

‘It’s Frightening’: Judges, UN Experts on Targeting CAA Protesters
4 years, 5 months ago

‘It’s Frightening’: Judges, UN Experts on Targeting CAA Protesters

The Quint  

Retired judges and United Nations experts raised concerns on Monday, 13 July, about the way in which the government has responded to the anti-Citizenship Act protests in recent months, including the implication of many of the protesters in criminal cases. Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur, Justice AP Shah of the Delhi High Court, UN Special Rapporteur on …

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