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Human rights

Sikh Council UK Urges UK Government to Intervene in Indian Farmer Protests

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Sikh Council UK has raised "grave concerns" about human rights violations in India, citing the Indian government's alleged breach of United Nations resolutions on the right to protest, access to information, and a free press. The protests, led by tens of thousands of Indian citizens, are against three farming bills introduced last year, which farmers claim leave them "at the mercy of corporates" and price controls. The Indian government has responded with force, using water cannons, batons, and tear gas, resulting in over 100 deaths. The Sikh Council UK is urging the UK Government to take action, writing to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to express their collective concerns and raise the matter at the United Nations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sikh Council UK has expressed "grave concerns" about human rights violations in India, citing the Indian government's alleged breach of UN resolutions on the right to protest, access to information, and a free press.
  • Tens of thousands of Indian citizens are protesting against three farming bills, claiming the legislation leaves them "at the mercy of corporates" and price controls.
  • The Indian government has responded to the protests with force, using water cannons, batons, and tear gas, resulting in over 100 deaths.
  • The Sikh Council UK is urging the UK Government to take action, writing to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to express their collective concerns and raise the matter at the United Nations.
  • The letter to Dominic Raab states that security services are "indiscriminately detaining and charging protesting farmers and journalists with false charges of terrorism, sedition."
  • The British Government has raised concerns about the right to protest, access to information, and free press in the past, particularly concerning the Chinese government's crackdowns on peaceful protests.
  • The UK Government has been criticized for not doing enough to help free Jagtar Singh Johal, the brother of Gurpreet Singh Johal, who has been in an Indian jail for three years without conviction.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 deaths have been reported in the farmer protests in India.
  • Tens of thousands of Indian citizens are protesting against the three farming bills.
  • Three years have passed since Jagtar Singh Johal was imprisoned in India without conviction.
  • 1 death toll: 100+

Sources:

  • Sikh Council UK: "Letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab"
  • Foreign Office: Quoted in the article
  • "Jagtar Singh Johal's Story" ( BBC News)

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