New Delhi: Amnesty International has called on the Indian government to halt what it describes as a “witch hunt” against civil society organizations. This appeal comes in light of accusations that anti-money laundering and anti-terror legislation are being misused to suppress these groups.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the criticism was sparked by a report from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which noted India’s “partial compliance” with international guidelines designed to protect civil society activities. The report highlighted ongoing pressures faced by non-governmental organizations in India, including stringent financial scrutiny and restrictions on foreign funding, particularly under the current administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian government, however, has consistently denied such allegations.
Amnesty International pointed out that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has been a tool for canceling the licenses of thousands of NGOs over the past decade, necessitating registration under the FCRA for foreign financial contributions. The global watchdog FATF, which India joined in 2010, has urged the Indian government to prioritize actions to safeguard the operations of civil society organizations, emphasizing the need to address the misuse of laws intended for combating terror and money laundering.
Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty International India, stated that the FATF’s findings also include concerns about “significant delays in prosecutions” under these laws, resulting in many unresolved cases and accused individuals remaining in prolonged pre-trial conditions. In 2020, these legal and financial challenges compelled Amnesty International to suspend its operations in India after authorities froze its bank accounts. The government justified these actions by accusing Amnesty of engaging in illegal financial transfers from its UK branch.
The crackdown extends beyond NGOs, with journalists facing increased harassment both online and offline, attributed to the broad reach of the ruling party on social media platforms and beyond.