(MENAFN) The United States State Department released its annual report on human rights practices on Monday, revealing several significant human rights issues in India. Among them are the reported targeting of religious minorities, dissidents, and journalists. The findings come almost a year after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US was monitoring a rise in human rights abuses in India by government, police, and prison officials. This rare direct rebuke from Washington highlights the Asian nation’s rights record.
While the US has historically been hesitant to criticize India due to the two countries’ close economic ties and India’s growing importance in countering China in the region, this report suggests a shift in tone. The US report found credible reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, or cruel and degrading treatment or punishment by police and prison officials, political prisoners or detainees, and unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists.
In recent years, advocacy groups have raised concerns over what they see as a deteriorating human rights situation in India under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Human Rights Watch has accused the Indian government of policies and actions that target Muslims. Critics of Modi argue that his ruling party has fostered religious polarization since taking power in 2014.
This report adds to the growing international criticism of India's human rights record, which could have significant implications for the country's relationship with the United States and its global standing.
In conclusion, the US State Department's report highlights several significant human rights issues in India, including the targeting of religious minorities, dissidents, and journalists.
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