Amnesty condemns growing intolerance in India

Says authorities have clamped down on groups critical of official policies


News Desk February 26, 2016
PHOTO: AFP/FILE

A leading human rights group has upbraided the Indian government for failing to stop ‘incidents of religious violence’, citing their leaders’ polarising speeches as a trigger of tensions.

Amnesty International said in its 2015-16 annual report that ‘growing intolerance’ had led to attacks on journalists, authors, artists and rights activists.

Amnesty International urges India to withdraw 'draconian' forces from Indian Kashmir

The London-based rights body warned against the worldwide assault on freedoms with many governments ‘brazenly’ breaking international law, including an ‘intensified crackdown on key freedoms’ in India. Amnesty rebuked Indian authorities for ‘failing to prevent many incidents of religious violence, and sometimes contributing to tensions’.

“Scores of artists, writers and scientists returned national honours in protest against what they said was a climate of growing intolerance,” the report stated on India. “Authorities have clamped down on civil society organisations critical of official policies and increased restrictions on foreign funding. Religious tensions have intensified and gender and caste-based discrimination and violence remained pervasive.” it further stated.

Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty India, said that “India had seen several backslides on human rights. The government intensified restrictions on civil society organisations...”

India covering up human rights violations in Kashmir: report

However, “what is heartening is that there has been opposition to the erosion of rights. The outrage around incidents of religious intolerance, a Supreme Court ruling striking down an oppressive law on free speech online – these offer hope that 2016 can be a better year for human rights in India.” he optimistically added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th,  2016.

COMMENTS (3)

ethicalman | 8 years ago | Reply Amnesty India is headed by Aakar Ahmed Patel, whose hatred for Modi is well known from decades now.. All this intolerance nonsense is a sponsored program of Congress and it's allies.. Only fools get fooled by it..
An Indian | 8 years ago | Reply Tell Amnesty and Aakar Ahmad Patel to shove it. They are not even a penny in India.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ