WASHINGTON: On Monday, a US government panel reiterated its calls to blacklist India for its lack of respect for religious liberty and to end the exceptions that let Pakistan avoid the repercussions of such a designation. In its 2023 report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom--a bipartisan group with congressional authority—designated 15 countries as "countries of particular concern."
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Russia, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Syria, North Korea, and Tajikistan are also on the list in addition to India and Pakistan.
However, the US administration does not always abide by the commission's recommendations, which can have serious repercussions for a listed nation. Despite being on the list since 2019, India has never received a designation. Washington worries that such a move may jeopardise its efforts to forge tight ties with India in order to confront China.
A review of waivers granted to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan is also recommended by the most recent report.
The 2023 report advises the administration to review exceptions granted to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in addition to calling for the designation of India once more.
The suggestion for India emphasises that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the treatment of religious minorities in India has been worse.
India should be flagged as a nation of particular concern because of its "systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom". Through bilateral engagement and multilateral forums, promote religious freedom, dignity, and interfaith dialogue for all religious communities in India.
Condemn ongoing religious injustices and lend your support to organisations that promote religious freedom, such as human rights NGOs. By freezing their assets and/or preventing their admission into the US, impose targeted sanctions on Indian government officials and entities responsible for serious abuses of religious freedom.
After riots in 2002 that targeted Muslims, Mr. Modi was denied entry into the country, but after he was elected prime minister, the ban was lifted. The US Congress is urged by the commission to: Bring up concerns about religious freedom in the US-India relationship through hearings, briefings, letters, and congressional delegations.
According to the 2023 report, there has been violence and the demolition of religious buildings in India, especially those belonging to Muslims and Christians. Additionally, it alludes to remarks and social media posts made by members of the Modi administration encouraging the persecution of religious minorities.
A culture of impunity for broad campaigns of threats and violence by mobs and vigilante groups was made possible by the continuous implementation of discriminatory laws, the report says.
Pakistan is to be reclassified as a "country of particular concern," or CPC, as a result of its "systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom," according to the commission's assessment. It requests that the waiver, which exempts the administration from otherwise being required by law to act under the designation, be lifted.
The panel further urges: Signing a legally binding agreement with Pakistan's government to promote significant actions to resolve violations of religious freedom with benchmarks, such as but not limited to: Release those incarcerated for blasphemy and other crimes related to religion or beliefs; Repeal anti-Ahmadiyya and blasphemy legislation; in the interim, institute amendments to make these offences bailable and evidence-based.
The commission calls for the repeal of the requirement that individuals self-identify their religion on identification documents and suggests updating curricula, textbooks, and resources for teacher preparation.
In addition, the panel demands the release of Pakistani religious political prisoners of conscience, including as Junaid Hafeez, Asif Pervaiz, Notan Lal, Zafar Bhatti, and Aneeqa Ateeq.
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