Concerns Surround India's Hosting of the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Conference

09-09-2023.

Alexandra Posta

East and South Asia Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

In September 2023, the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRCI) is slated to host the Asia-Pacific Forum Conference, an event gathering national human rights institutions from 26 countries in New Delhi (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). This conference aims to promote and protect human rights in the Asia-Pacific region (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). However, this decision has sparked widespread concern and objections from international human rights organizations, South Asian activists, and citizens due to NHRCI's questionable human rights record and its recent accreditation issues (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023; The Wire, 6 September 2023).

One of the primary concerns stems from NHRCI's accreditation status. In March 2023, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) deferred NHRCI's re-accreditation application by one year (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). This decision raised significant doubts about NHRCI's ability to effectively protect and promote human rights. The SCA cited concerns regarding the institution's functioning, lack of pluralism, transparency, and commitment to addressing human rights violations (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023).

NHRCI's track record in addressing human rights violations within India is another deeply troubling aspect (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). The commission has remained conspicuously silent on several pressing issues, including attacks on religious and caste minorities, forced evictions, the persecution of human rights defenders and journalists, the repression of dissent and freedom of expression, and arbitrary detentions in Kashmir (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). This silence has allowed grave human rights abuses to persist, undermining NHRCI's credibility as a human rights watchdog (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023).

Criticism also surrounds the appointment process for NHRCI members (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). The selection committee, responsible for recommending members to the President, lacks proper engagement with civil society (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). This has resulted in appointments that appear to align with the political sentiments of the ruling party, thereby hindering the commission's independence from government interference (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). The SCA has emphasized the need for a transparent and participatory selection process to ensure the NHRCI operates independently (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023).

NHRCI's delayed response to communal violence in Manipur further exacerbates concerns (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). In this instance, grave allegations of sexual and gender-based violence were reported (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). However, NHRCI's lack of intervention allowed rampant human rights violations to persist unchecked (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023). Only after the Supreme Court's intervention did NHRCI send a notice to the Manipur government, highlighting its inadequate proactive role in safeguarding human rights (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023).

South Asian activists have strongly objected to India hosting the Asia-Pacific Forum Conference, expressing outrage over the decision (The Wire, 6 September 2023). They argue that it undermines the Forum's purpose and achievements (The Wire, 6 September 2023). These concerns echo the apprehensions raised globally about NHRCI's capability to uphold human rights standards (The Wire, 6 September 2023).

An open letter addressed to Justice Arun Mishra, the chairman of NHRCI, emphasizes the commission's failure to effectively intervene in human rights violations (NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023). The letter points out NHRCI's accreditation deferral, its lack of pluralistic representation, and its reluctance to review laws affecting civil liberties (NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023). It also highlights NHRCI's silence on critical human rights issues (NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023).

The growing concerns and objections surrounding NHRCI's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Forum Conference underscore the need for a comprehensive reconsideration of this decision (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023; The Wire, 6 September 2023; NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023). Human rights activists, international organizations, and citizens alike call for a host institution that demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding human rights, transparency, and independence from government influence (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023; The Wire, 6 September 2023; NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023). The conference, intended to promote and protect human rights, must not inadvertently endorse an institution with a questionable human rights record (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023; The Wire, 6 September 2023; NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023). It is imperative that the Asia-Pacific Forum ensures the host reflects the highest standards of human rights protection and promotion (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023; The Wire, 6 September 2023; NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023). The credibility of such international conferences and the cause of human rights itself depend on it (Front Line Defenders, 8 September 2023; The Wire, 6 September 2023; NH Political Bureau, 5 September 2023).

SOURCES

Front Line Defenders. (8 September 2023). Joint Letter - India: Concern regarding the Asia-Pacific Forum Conference to be hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRCI) in September 2023. Available at https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement-report/joint-letter-india-concern-regarding-asia-pacific-forum-conference-be-hosted.

The Wire. (6 September 2023). South Asian Activists Object to India Hosting Conference of National Human Rights Institutions. Available at https://thewire.in/rights/south-asian-activists-object-to-india-hosting-conference-of-national-human-rights-institutions.

NH Political Bureau. (5 September 2023). Open letter to Justice Arun Mishra, chairman, NHRC. Available at https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/open-letter-to-justice-arun-mishra-chairman-nhrc.