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US Panel Accuses India of Misusing Anti-Terror Law
A US religious-freedom panel says India is using a terrorism law unfairly against some religious minorities.
It named activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been held for six years without their trial beginning.
Their case concerns an alleged conspiracy connected to the 2020 Delhi riots.
The panel also discussed Jagtar Singh Johal, a British citizen accused in cases involving killings and attempted killings in Punjab.
Johal was recently granted bail by the Delhi High Court.
The panel said his case showed a broader pattern of imprisoning religious minorities.
It asked the US government to encourage India to release other people it considers religious-freedom prisoners.
India has previously rejected the panel’s assessments as biased and politically motivated.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom accused India of weaponising the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act against religious minorities.
The panel urged Washington to work with Indian authorities to release prisoners detained for peaceful religious expression or belief.
It specifically cited activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have spent six years in pre-trial detention linked to the 2020 Delhi riots case.
The panel welcomed bail granted to British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, who was arrested in 2017 in connection with alleged targeted killings in Punjab.
India has previously described the commission’s assessments as biased and politically motivated, while New Delhi has not commented on this statement.
- Who
- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Indian authorities, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and Jagtar Singh Johal.
- What
- The US panel accused India of misusing the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and urged the release of certain detainees.
- Where
- The cases involve India, including Delhi and Punjab.
- When
- The statement was issued on Thursday; Khalid and Imam have been detained for six years, and Johal was arrested in 2017.
- Why
- The panel says the law has been used to silence or imprison religious minorities and people involved in peaceful religious expression or belief.
US Commission’s Position
India’s Position
Use of anti-terror law
US Commission’s Position
The commission says India is weaponising the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act to detain religious minorities and silence peaceful protesters.
India’s Position
India has previously called the commission’s assessments biased and politically motivated; New Delhi has not commented on this statement.
Jagtar Singh Johal’s case
US Commission’s Position
The commission said Johal was unjustly arrested on false murder and terrorism charges and welcomed the Delhi High Court’s bail decision.
India’s Position
Johal is accused in eight cases involving targeted killings and attempted murders and of acting as a financier and courier, according to the cited legal news report.
International response
US Commission’s Position
The panel urged the US State Department to work with Indian authorities to facilitate releases and recommended designating India a country of particular concern.
India’s Position
The article reports India’s rejection of the commission’s broader assessments but does not provide a specific response to the latest recommendations.
Key facts
- Accusing body
- United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
- Law cited
- Unlawful Activities Prevention Act
- Named detainees
- Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
- Detention period
- Khalid and Imam have been in judicial custody for six years
- Related case
- The case concerns an alleged conspiracy linked to the 2020 Delhi riots
- Recent bail decision
- The Delhi High Court granted Jagtar Singh Johal bail on September 18
- India’s prior response
- India has called the commission’s assessments biased and politically motivated
Quotes
US Commission on International Religious Freedom
US federal commission that monitors religious freedom worldwide
“In 2017, authorities unjustly arrested Johal on false charges of murder and terrorism under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, a law that several United Nations special rapporteurs have characterised as noncompliant with international standards and India’s international obligations.”
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CeCe Heil
Vice chairperson of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom
“demonstrative of a larger pattern by the Indian government to silence or imprison religious minorities”
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Sources
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