Human Rights Organizations Urge American and Australian Governments to Address Transnational Repression During Quad Meeting
September 20, 2024
As organizations dedicated to fighting for justice, equality, and human rights around the world, we call on President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to publicly and privately raise concerns about the increasing pattern of transnational repression from the Indian government when they meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during this weekend’s Quad Summit. Biden and Albanese must make clear that any security relationship cannot come at the expense of the security and rights of Americans, Australians, and Indians.
The current Indian government has consistently harassed individuals outside of its borders in an attempt to silence critics of Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party. These incidents include high-profile trolling campaigns against journalists and human rights activists, the censorship of international press and civil society, the weaponization of the Indian immigration system, and even attempts on individuals’ lives. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating allegations that the Indian government attempted to kill a Sikh activist and American citizen. The DoJ case also alleges that senior members of the Indian government carried out a global campaign of repression against members of the Sikh diaspora, including the murder of a Sikh Canadian—allegations that were first raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Australian government has previously expelled Indian diplomats and intelligence officials who have been accused of infringing on the free speech and safety of Indian Australians. Given these allegations that the Indian government has undermined the security and rights of the Indian diaspora, any conversation about deeper security cooperation must rest on a mutual respect for safety, rights, and sovereignty in all four countries.
This pattern of transnational repression also comes at a time when Prime Minister Modi’s government has cracked down on dissent at home. Minorities in India face increased insecurity as Modi and his party encourage Islamophobic and anti-minority violence, including lynchings of Muslims and oppressed-caste people. Journalists and civil society continue to face repression, including surveillance, cancellation of foreign contribution licenses, arbitrary seizures of personal effects, punitive and unlawful demolitions of homes and tax and police raids amounting from false cases. The government has weaponized anti-terror laws to detain journalists, and activists for prolonged periods of time without a hearing. Modi has not expressed an interest in defending the rights of Indians at home or abroad.
President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese must publicly and privately raise concerns about transnational repression, including by the Indian government. Before Australia and the US can cooperate with India to combat shared geopolitical threats, both countries must ensure that India does not undermine the security of both nations and their residents. Americans and Australians deserve governments that protect their fundamental rights and safety.
Signed:
Ambedkar King Study Circle
Dalit Solidarity Forum
Federation of Indian American Churches of North America (FIACONA)
Hindus for Human Rights
India Civil Watch International
Indian American Muslim Council
Sikh Coalition
Uyghur Human Rights Project
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Contact Information:
For further information about this issue, our organization, our ongoing initiatives, or to arrange interviews, please reach out to David Kalal, HfHR Communications Director at david@hindusforhumanrights.org