Strong leaders don’t bully weak, Amnesty tells Modi
London, Nov. 30: A group of from Amnesty International gathered outside the Indian High Commission on Friday to protest against what they termed as a “crackdown” on the human rights group in India.
They sought to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi that strong leaders do not bully the weak. The protesters carried placards reading “India: Stop the Crackdown” and “Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Don’t Crush India’s Charities” during the peaceful demonstration outside India House to mark the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“As more people in India call for equality, accountability and justice, Prime Minister Modi’s government is trying to silence human rights defenders and organisations,” said Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK’s Director.
“Amnesty India speaks out for women’s rights, has exposed the use of excessive force against defenceless people, and stood up for indigenous communities whose rights are being violated by large corporations. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in India,” she said.
The protest follows the Enforcement Directorate raid on Amnesty India offices in Bengaluru in October that led to freezing of its bank accounts. It denied any wrongdoing and claims the raid followed a similar attempt to “intimidate” Greenpeace India.