France’s Strasbourg parliament calls on Indian authorities to take steps to stop racial and religious violence and “protect all religious minorities”
Post Date – 12:45 AM, Friday – July 23rd 14th
London: The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India, specifically citing the recent clashes in Manipur.
France’s Strasbourg parliament called on Indian authorities to take steps to stop racial and religious violence and “protect all religious minorities”.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that we were contacting relevant EU MPs and making it clear to them that this was “absolutely” an internal Indian issue.
Violence has been raging in Manipur for nearly two months, especially between the Kuki and Metai communities. “This is entirely an internal Indian matter,” Kwatra said in response to a question on the matter at a news conference in New Delhi.
“We have contacted the relevant EU MPs. But we have made it very clear that this is definitely an internal Indian issue,” he added.
The resolution titled “India, situation in Manipur” was initiated by MEP Pierre Rarutulu of the Socialist and Democratic Progressive Alliance bloc in the European Parliament. “…the Parliament strongly urges the Indian authorities to take all necessary measures to immediately stop racial and religious violence and protect all religious minorities,” a press statement issued by Parliament on the passed resolution read.
Members of the European Parliament called on Indian authorities to allow an “independent investigation” into the violence and urged all parties to the conflict to stop “inflammatory rhetoric, rebuild trust and play an impartial role in mediating tensions”. “Parliament reiterated its call for the integration of human rights in all areas of the EU-India partnership, including trade,” the press statement said.
“MEPs also advocate for enhanced EU-India human rights dialogue and encourage the EU and its Member States to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns, especially on the Indian side at the highest level, with regard to the shrinking space for freedom of expression, religion and civil society, ’ it added.
The resolution comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicks off a two-day visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron as the guest of honor at the French Bastille Day military parade.
