Heads of missions term attacks as xenophobic, racial and reprehensible India not doing enough, say African envoys

Noida a week ago following the death of a local teenager from a suspected drug overdose. Violence escalated the next day when two Nigerian brothers were attacked by a mob inside a shopping mall.

In a strongly-worded statement, the envoys, who recently held a “special” meeting on March 31 on the incidents, also said they “agreed to take further actions including a call for an independent investigation by the UN’s Human Rights Council as well as other human rights bodies, and also to comprehensively report the matter to the African Union Commission”.

There are missions of more than 50 African countries accredited to India.

India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) had condemned the attacks last week and said, “…such criminal acts are completely unacceptable and we condemn them… the government remains committed to ensuring safety and security of every foreigner, but of course in this particular instance, the Nigerians.”

The MEA had said, “Local authorities have taken very effective actions… they have launched investigations and certain people have been arrested. A large number of people are under close watch. District authorities have had meetings with the local welfare association as well as the students who represent the Nigerian community there… we will continue to take action against all those guilty and they will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”