NCF Research Officer Shristi Sharma delivers an oral intervention to the United Nations Human Rights Council 52nd session, Item 5. Shristi addresses the United Nations in context of ongoing minority issues in India.

Transcript:

Mr. President the Next Century Foundation is deeply concerned by ongoing minority issues in the Republic of India.

India’s government has passed laws and regulations like the Citizenship Amendment Act that systematically discriminate against Muslims. Embedded prejudices in the government have permeated autonomous institutions like the police and the courts, giving nationalist organizations free rein to threaten and assault religious minorities. In addition, they encourage and legitimize the rise in hate crimes, as well as promoting prejudice towards Muslims, Christians, and other minorities.

2017 saw the greatest number of instances reported. Recent research by an Indian NGO, Act Now for Harmony and Democracy indicates that, more than 26% of Christians and 73% of Muslims in India have been the target of hate speech and hate crimes. Hate speech towards Muslims has spurred hate crimes, as shown by the fact that hate crimes have steadily exceeded hate speech over time.

The Next Century Foundation believes that all human beings irrespective of their religion should be treated equally, especially in a diverse land like India and calls on the United Nations and its member states to urge India to follow a new framework that takes into account international human rights concepts and ensures direct responsibility, remedy, and compensation in order to prevent and address communal and targeted religious violence.

Thank you!