The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that India be included in a list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ (CPCs) for the second consecutive year. This comes after the US State Department highlighted numerous Human Rights issues in its 2020 Human Rights Report.
About USCIRF
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government commission dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. It serves as an advisory body to the US Congress. Each year, USCIRF produces an Annual Report assessing religious freedom violations and progress in various countries, offering independent recommendations for US policy. The commission is headquartered in Washington DC.
Understanding the Report
The report primarily focuses on two categories of countries. A ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) is a nation designated by the US Secretary of State as engaged in severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Meanwhile, a ‘Special Watch List’ country is one that does not meet all CPC criteria but tolerates or engages in severe violations of religious freedom. The report also includes USCIRF’s recommendations for non-state actors to be designated as ‘entities of particular concern’ (EPCs) under IRFA.
USCIRF Recommendations
For the CPC list, the USCIRF has recommended Russia, Syria, Vietnam, and India. The countries already on the list recommended by USCIRF for re-designation include Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan have been recommended for inclusion on the ‘Special Watch List’, along with Cuba and Nicaragua. For EPCs, seven non-state actors are recommended for redesignation, including al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban.
India’s Case: Areas of Religious Freedom Concern
Concerns highlighted in the report include the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), which fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from South Asian countries that meet certain criteria. Several incidents were cited as potential violations such as the Delhi Riots, the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the enforcement of anti-conversion laws. The spreading of disinformation and the incitement of violence against minority communities have been pointed out. Restrictions on religious freedom in Jammu and Kashmir following the internet shutdown were also noted. In addition, the report voiced concerns over the crackdown on civil society with acts like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
USCIRF Recommendations for US Administration
The USCIRF has advised the US administration to impose targeted sanctions on Indian entities and individuals for ‘severe violations of religious freedom.’ They have asked for condemning ongoing religious freedom violations and supporting human rights groups targeted due to their advocacy of religious freedom.
Freedom of Religion in India
Despite current concerns, India’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion under Articles 25-28. It protects the freedom of conscience, free profession, practice and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from taxation for the promotion of any particular religion, and freedom of attendance at religious instruction in educational institutions. Article 29 and 30 deal with the protection of minority interests.
