Calling for Immediate Human Rights Reforms Following 2024 Indian General Elections
June 4th, 2024
In light of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a third term in the 2024 Indian general elections in India, Justice For All Canada is deeply concerned about the unrelenting human rights abuses exposed in a joint UN statement from March 7, 2024. According to experts, there has been an urgent need for the BJP-led government to deal with systemic abuses and ensure protection for all citizens in the run-up to elections.
The statement documented the continuation of severe human rights abuses that included violence and discrimination against minorities, many involving arbitrary killings and enforced disappearances. Justice For All Canada echoes calls the UN made for India to repeal discriminatory laws and take conducive measures to protect minority communities from violence and intimidation. According to Amnesty International, the BJP is also misusing central investigative and financial agencies, such as the Enforcement Directorate, to target civil society organizations. There have been numerous instances of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members.
In addition to these concerns, the BJP government has suppressed political dissent by cracking down on opposition leaders, including arresting Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party) and freezing the Indian National Congress’s bank accounts. This misuse of financial and anti-terrorism laws to target critics blatantly disregards the rule of law and international legal standards, particularly during India’s electoral process.
"Today's election results reveal the opposition's resilience despite significant repression. Despite efforts to suppress dissent and control the narrative, the BJP has failed to secure an outright majority, indicating a strong public desire for change. It's a clear message that the Indian people are pushing back against the Hindutva autocratic and nationalist agenda. In a truly free and fair election, the results could have been even more transformative. But for now, we rejoice as Modi will likely struggle to enact the discriminatory constitutional changes he intended," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
Despite early leads in the general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition has faced stronger opposition than expected, highlighting dissatisfaction with his party. Since his election into government, Modi's administration has brought Hindutva nationalism into the mainstream, breeding intolerance towards minorities and deepening societal divisions.
Justice For All Canada emphasizes urgent reforms to protect all Indian citizens including marginalized groups, restore public confidence in the electoral process, respect opposition candidates, and uphold democratic principles and freedoms. We further echo calls by UN experts for the Indian government to;
These actions are essential to demonstrate India's commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
Sources
In light of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a third term in the 2024 Indian general elections in India, Justice For All Canada is deeply concerned about the unrelenting human rights abuses exposed in a joint UN statement from March 7, 2024. According to experts, there has been an urgent need for the BJP-led government to deal with systemic abuses and ensure protection for all citizens in the run-up to elections.
The statement documented the continuation of severe human rights abuses that included violence and discrimination against minorities, many involving arbitrary killings and enforced disappearances. Justice For All Canada echoes calls the UN made for India to repeal discriminatory laws and take conducive measures to protect minority communities from violence and intimidation. According to Amnesty International, the BJP is also misusing central investigative and financial agencies, such as the Enforcement Directorate, to target civil society organizations. There have been numerous instances of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members.
In addition to these concerns, the BJP government has suppressed political dissent by cracking down on opposition leaders, including arresting Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party) and freezing the Indian National Congress’s bank accounts. This misuse of financial and anti-terrorism laws to target critics blatantly disregards the rule of law and international legal standards, particularly during India’s electoral process.
"Today's election results reveal the opposition's resilience despite significant repression. Despite efforts to suppress dissent and control the narrative, the BJP has failed to secure an outright majority, indicating a strong public desire for change. It's a clear message that the Indian people are pushing back against the Hindutva autocratic and nationalist agenda. In a truly free and fair election, the results could have been even more transformative. But for now, we rejoice as Modi will likely struggle to enact the discriminatory constitutional changes he intended," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
Despite early leads in the general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition has faced stronger opposition than expected, highlighting dissatisfaction with his party. Since his election into government, Modi's administration has brought Hindutva nationalism into the mainstream, breeding intolerance towards minorities and deepening societal divisions.
Justice For All Canada emphasizes urgent reforms to protect all Indian citizens including marginalized groups, restore public confidence in the electoral process, respect opposition candidates, and uphold democratic principles and freedoms. We further echo calls by UN experts for the Indian government to;
- Cooperate with international human rights mechanisms fully.
- Institute effective measures to prevent further abuses.
- Hold those responsible for violations accountable and bring violators of international human rights to justice.
- Create an enabling environment for civil society and free media.
- Ratify and adhere to international human rights treaties and the Convention against Torture.
These actions are essential to demonstrate India's commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
Sources
- Amnesty International. (2024, March 22). India: Crackdown on opposition reaches a crisis point ahead of national elections. Retrieved from Amnesty International.
- Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). (2024, March 7). India: UN experts urge corrective action to protect human rights and end attacks against minorities in lead up to elections. Retrieved from OHCHR.
- Pathi, K., & Saaliq, S. (2024, June 4). India election: PM Modi may need coalition allies to secure 3rd term. Global News. Retrieved from The Associated Press.