New Delhi: Amnesty International has stopped its operations in India. There are allegations on behalf of the institution that the Indian government had frozen its accounts earlier this month as an action. He then had to lay off most of his employees. The institution has described it as ‘witch-hunt’ (falling behind), saying that the government took steps against it due to some of its reports.
At the same time, the government has said that this institution has never registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and has been illegally receiving foreign funding.
A press release issued by Amnesty stated that Amnesty International India’s bank accounts have been completely frozen by the Indian government. The institution said that it came to know about this on 10 September. According to the organization, its entire functioning has come to a standstill. The organization said that it was forced to remove its staff and also had to shut down the campaigns and research in India.
Amnesty claimed that it complied with all Indian and international laws. It was said on behalf of the institution, “This is the latest example of action taken by the Indian government on human rights organizations on unfounded allegations.”
The Amnesty organization is looking at this action against itself by linking it to the government’s critical reports. In recent reports of the institution, many questions were raised about the violation of rights after the riots in Delhi in February and the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Amnesty International India Executive Director Avinash Kumar said, “The action on Amnesty International India in the last two years and the freezing of bank accounts is not accidental.” Continued harassment by government agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, is the result of our constant voice for transparency in government. Recently, the Delhi Police and the Government of India have also been asked for accountability regarding the Delhi riots and serious human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
