Responding to UN Report on Discrimination and Violence Against Minorities in India
July 26th, 2024
Justice for All Canada (JFAC) remains deeply concerned over ongoing discrimination and violence against minority groups in India, as detailed in the latest report by the UN Human Rights Committee released on July 25, 2024. These critical findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive action to address human rights violations in India, and provide justice for victims.
The Committee’s main conclusions and recommendations provided guidance on India’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The report mentions unabated issues in India such as systemic discrimination, the misuse of counter-terrorism laws, severe human rights violations affecting religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, as well as “scheduled castes” and “scheduled tribes”. Despite some measures adopted by the state*, these groups continue to face significant challenges, including:
The UN's latest findings echo the long-time condemnations from Justice For All Canada, as well as other human rights groups such as International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Minority Rights Group International. They state that India's treatment of minorities, particularly Muslims, Christians, and Dalits, remains deeply problematic. These populations face systemic discrimination, police bias, and targeted violence, often with little recourse to justice. Additionally, according to Front Line Defenders, journalists, and those reporting on human rights abuses and corruption face repeated suppression of free speech and harassment. These organizations have documented cases of arbitrary arrests, internet shutdowns, and the use of Draconian laws to silence dissent.
Justice For All Canada echoes calls from the UN urging India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, ensure effective investigation and prosecution of violence and discrimination against minorities, and align counter-terrorism measures with international human rights standards.
We call on the Canadian government and international community to take immediate and concrete actions, including diplomatic pressure and targeted sanctions to hold the Indian government accountable for these ongoing human rights violations.
Justice for All Canada remains committed to advocating for justice and human rights. We will continue to work towards holding accountable those responsible for these ongoing violations and support the victims in their quest for justice.
Justice for All Canada (JFAC) remains deeply concerned over ongoing discrimination and violence against minority groups in India, as detailed in the latest report by the UN Human Rights Committee released on July 25, 2024. These critical findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive action to address human rights violations in India, and provide justice for victims.
The Committee’s main conclusions and recommendations provided guidance on India’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The report mentions unabated issues in India such as systemic discrimination, the misuse of counter-terrorism laws, severe human rights violations affecting religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, as well as “scheduled castes” and “scheduled tribes”. Despite some measures adopted by the state*, these groups continue to face significant challenges, including:
- Hate Speech and Violence: The report expresses concern over anti-migrant hate speech, including by public officials, which is becoming increasingly violent. This hate speech is of particular concern with regards to Muslims, including Rohingya refugees from Burma-Myanmar. In addition to hate speech, the report mentions “very high levels” of violence committed against religious minorities, citing incidents in Manipur since 2023 and Gujarat in 2002, as well as a lack of accountability for such human rights violations. The report also highlights the vigilante lynching of Muslims, including by “cow vigilantes,” and the destruction of Muslim places of worship and homes during riots.
- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC): Of further concern is the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, which discriminates against Muslims by establishing citizenship criteria based on religion. Over 2 million Muslims in Assam (who already hold Indian citizenship) are at risk of being rendered stateless and placed in detention centres for an indefinite period before being expelled, due to complex procedures and evidence requirements for the National Register of Citizens. This has led leading NGO Genocide Watch to issue a genocide alert, indicating warning signs of a genocidal process.
- Misuse of Counter-Terrorism and Emergency Laws: the application of counter-terrorism legislation for decades in “disturbed areas” such as districts in Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam has led to widespread and grave human rights violations, including excessive use of force leading to unlawful killings, arbitrary detention without formal charges for years, sexual violence, forced displacement, torture and ill-treatment. The report is concerned by a climate of widespread impunity for Indian security forces regarding allegations of human rights violations. The UN has urged India to "establish a mechanism to initiate a process to acknowledge responsibility and ascertain the truth regarding human rights violations in disturbed areas."
- Restrictions on Religious Freedom: The report raises concerns about legislation that restricts religious freedom, including requirements for notifying authorities about an intention to convert that gives officials broad power to decide on religious conversions, as well as practices like “ghar wapsi” or “homecoming” ceremonies, where religious minorities are coerced to convert to Hinduism. Thousands of Christians and Muslims are reported to have been converted to Hinduism during these ceremonies over the past decade.
- Restrictions on Freedom of Speech: Furthermore, the frequent and arbitrary restrictions on freedom of speech, including internet shutdowns and censorship, stifle dissent and infringe on fundamental rights. These measures also hinder civil society's ability to report abuses and challenge government policies.
The UN's latest findings echo the long-time condemnations from Justice For All Canada, as well as other human rights groups such as International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Minority Rights Group International. They state that India's treatment of minorities, particularly Muslims, Christians, and Dalits, remains deeply problematic. These populations face systemic discrimination, police bias, and targeted violence, often with little recourse to justice. Additionally, according to Front Line Defenders, journalists, and those reporting on human rights abuses and corruption face repeated suppression of free speech and harassment. These organizations have documented cases of arbitrary arrests, internet shutdowns, and the use of Draconian laws to silence dissent.
Justice For All Canada echoes calls from the UN urging India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, ensure effective investigation and prosecution of violence and discrimination against minorities, and align counter-terrorism measures with international human rights standards.
We call on the Canadian government and international community to take immediate and concrete actions, including diplomatic pressure and targeted sanctions to hold the Indian government accountable for these ongoing human rights violations.
Justice for All Canada remains committed to advocating for justice and human rights. We will continue to work towards holding accountable those responsible for these ongoing violations and support the victims in their quest for justice.
*According to the UN committee report, recent measures adopted by India to address discrimination included amendments to the:
- Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act 2023
- Strengthening the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2019
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015
- The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
- Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:
- The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- Right to Information Act, 2005