The Amnesty International has called on Bangladesh and India to address specific human rights concerns in the wake of bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should uphold their commitment to human rights under national and international law,” said Amnesty’s Executive Director for India Aakar Patel.
The two governments should recommit themselves to human right ahead of their upcoming elections, he said, reports
“We urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure their governments hold rigorous investigations into fatal and near-fatal targeted attacks on historically and socially marginalised communities, as well human rights defenders in India; and against Indigenous and secular activists in Bangladesh.”
Patel also urged the governments to ensure space for dissent and highlighted the need for a free press.
“Both leaders should ensure that space for expressing dissent is not compromised. This can be achieved when both countries have a free and independent press, where journalists are not intimidated, harassed and attacked, and repressive laws are not used to silence them.”
The rights activist congratulated Bangladesh on its ‘exemplary’ actions in opening its doors to nearly a million Rohingya refugees, but expressed his disappointment regarding India’s reluctance to give refuge to the 40,000 Rohingyas in the country.
“Indian authorities should follow Bangladesh’s example and adopt effective measures to protect Rohingya people escaping persecution and state violence. It is the shared duty of both nations to ensure refugees in their countries have supportive systems that are responsive to their needs,” he said.
This was especially necessary in the face of targeted smear campaigns and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, he added.
