The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, 21 October, responded to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet's about the concern over restrictions on NGOs and arrest of activists.
The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said: “Violations of the law cannot be condoned under the pretext of human rights and a more informed view of the matter was expected of the UN body,” the statement read.
The MEA in the statement also asserted that India was a democratic polity based on the rule of law and an independent judiciary.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday, 20 October, appealed to the Government of India to review the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, as she was worried that it was being used to “deter or punish NGOs for human rights reporting”.
Bachelet said: “Constructive criticism is the lifeblood of democracy. Even if the authorities find it uncomfortable, it should never be criminalised or outlawed,” as quoted saying by The Hindu.
“India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally,” the High Commissioner said. “But I am concerned that vaguely defined laws are increasingly being used to stifle these voices.”
Bachelet also cited as "worrying" the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA, which prohibits the receipt of foreign funds for any activities prejudicial to the public interest.
She also noted action against Amnesty India International:
On 29 September, Amnesty International India announced that it had been “compelled to let go off staff in India” and stop all its work as its bank accounts have been frozen. The organisation called the government’s move to freeze its bank accounts a witch-hunt “over unfounded and motivated allegations”.
UN Human Rights Committee oversees the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR provides for the freedom to form associations and receive funds for these associations.
(With inputs from PTI and Hindu)
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