In this statement delivered under Item 4 at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Amnesty International called on the Council to establish a monitoring mechanism on Egypt, hold India to account for its human rights obligations and commitments, and launch an inquiry into grave crimes and other serious human rights violations in China. - https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/ior40/3821/2021/en/
During India’s current Human Rights Council membership term, authorities have dramatically increased their crackdown on civil society, including by using laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to target human rights defenders, activists, peaceful protestors and civil society organisations. Amnesty International India has been among those targeted for human rights work: the organisation was forced to shut down operations in September 2020 following the freezing of its bank accounts and former staff members continue to be subjected to intimidation and harassment. The authorities have targeted minorities –particularly Muslims –and have responded to peaceful protesters with appalling brutality –including in the context of the Delhi Riots and protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Serious human rights violations continue in Kashmir, including mass arbitrary detention and excessive use of force by the security forces.We urge this Council to hold India to account for its human rights obligations, and the commitments made seeking membership of this Council. - extracted from https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/IOR4038212021ENGLISH.pdf 12 March 2021
Amnesty International India halts its work on upholding human rights in India due to reprisal from Government of India 29 September 2020.https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/09/amnesty-international-india-halts-its-work-on-upholding-human-rights-in-india-due-to-reprisal-from-government-of-india/ Responding to Amnesty International India’s bank accounts being frozen by the Enforcement Directorate, an investigative agency of the Government in India, Julie Verhaar, Acting Secretary General of Amnesty International said: “This is an egregious and shameful act by the Indian Government, which forces us to cease the crucial human rights work of Amnesty International India for now. However, this does not mark the end of our firm commitment to, and engagement in, the struggle for human rights in India. We will be working resolutely to determine how Amnesty International can continue to play our part within the human rights movement in India for years to come.