EU panel flags poor human rights in India

‘CAA is discriminatory in nature against Muslims & dangerously divisive’

New Delhi: In a shocker for India just days after a bilateral human rights dialogue with the European Union (EU), the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament by an overwhelming majority vote of 61 out of 71, “expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in India”.

In a shocker for India just days after a bilateral human rights dialogue with the European Union (EU), the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, by an overwhelming majority vote of 61 out of 71, “expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in India” including reports that “human rights defenders and journalists in the country lack a safe working environment” and “concerns about the difficult situation faced by Indian women and minority groups and caste-based discrimination.”

The committee’s recommendations

◗ THE COMMITTEE’S recommendations also mentioned reports that ‘voice alarm regarding India’s CAA’

also mentioned reports that “voice alarm regarding India’s CAA, which according to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is fundamentally discriminatory in nature against Muslims and dangerously divisive.”

It further noted that the “EU is closely following the situation in Kashmir and reiterates its support for stability and de-escalation between India and Pakistan.”

The EU Committee “highlighted India’s rising regional and geopolitical influence, as the country has strengthened its position as an economic and military power and rapidly grown as an important trading partner for the EU.” It called for “improving and deepening the EU’s relationship with India as a strategic partner.” It “also expressed concern at the deteriorating relationship between India and China, and the role of China’s expansive policy and substantial military build-up in the area.”

These were part of a “set of recommendations for the European Union on improving its bilateral partnership with India in view of the upcoming EUIndia Leaders’ meeting” in Portugal on May 8, which is expected to be attended by the PM Modi.

The text “was approved by 61 votes in favour, 6 votes against, with 4 abstentions,” a statement put up on the EU website said. The “report will now be submitted to a vote in the European Parliament as a whole in plenary.”

This comes after India and the EU held their ninth bilateral human rights dialogue earlier this week on April 12 in the national capital during which both sides had “exchanged views on strengthening human rights, including in social, economic, and cultural spheres” and “discussed civil and political rights, freedom of religion or belief, women empowerment, children’s rights, rights of minorities and vulnerable groups.”