NDP human rights critic Cheryl Hardcastle issued the following statement today:

"New Democrats express their very serious concern with the declining human rights situation in India.

"Attacks on prominent public intellectuals and political dissent in general, as well as attacks on non-Hindus, particularly Muslims, have grown ever since the Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power with a majority in 2014.

"We are particularly concerned by the arrest and treatment of Dr. Anand Teltumbde, who along with other important public intellectuals and human rights activists, have been arrested under the so-called Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to Amnesty International, the UAPA has often been abused and used to detain people peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association. Parts of the UAPA do not meet international human rights standards and are likely to lead to human rights violations.

"We urge the Government of Canada to break its deafening silence and immediately express Canada’s objections to human rights violations perpetrated by Indian authorities. Canada must use all available leverage to pressure the Government of Narendra Modi to comply with international human rights standards.”