Some US lawmakers have decided to boycott PM Modi’s address to the US Congress. They will not be attending his speech. This is according to an article on MSN India.

US lawmakers **Ilhan Omar** and **Rashida Tlaib**, the two Muslim women in Congress, said they would boycott Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming joint address to Congress. They cited **alleged human rights violations** in India as their reason behind the decision¹².

Omar said on Twitter that “Prime Minister Modi’s government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity."² Tlaib tweeted that “It’s shameful that Modi has been given a platform at our nation’s capital—his long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims & religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable.”³.

(1) 'Will NOT be attending PM Modi’s speech...' Why some US lawmakers will 'boycott' PM's address to US Congress. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/will-not-be-attending-pm-modi-s-speech-why-some-us-lawmakers-will-boycott-pms-address-to-us-congress/ar-AA1cP3BV.

(2) 'Will NOT be attending PM Modi’s speech...' Why some US lawmakers will .... https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/newsindia/will-not-be-attending-pm-modis-speech-why-some-us-lawmakers-will-boycott-pms-address-to-us-congress/ar-AA1cP3BV.

(3) Rashida Tlaib to boycott Indian PM Modi's address to Congress: "Shameful". https://www.newsweek.com/rashida-tlaib-boycott-indian-pm-modis-address-congress-shameful-1807955.

(4) Two to boycott Modi’s speech, 75 Democrats in US Congress urge Biden to .... https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/two-to-boycott-modi-s-speech-75-democrats-in-us-congress-urge-biden-to-raise-rights-issues-in-talks-with-him-1229634.html.

(5) Congress to boycott PM Modi for rest of session. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-to-boycott-pm-modi-for-rest-of-session-budget-4516663/.

According to Human Rights Watch, the BJP-led government has been accused of **increasingly harassing, arresting, and prosecuting rights defenders, activists, journalists, students, academics, and others critical of the government or its policies**. The government has also continued to impose **harsh and discriminatory restrictions** on Muslim-majority areas in Jammu and Kashmir since revoking the state’s constitutional status in August 2019 and splitting it into two federally governed territories¹.

Attacks have continued against minorities, especially Muslims, even as authorities have failed to take action against BJP leaders who have vilified Muslims and BJP supporters who have engaged in violence¹. The US Department of State found "significant human rights" violations, including extrajudicial killings by the government, torture, unjustified arrests of journalists, and restrictions on freedom of expression in its annual report on human rights practices released in March³.

(1) World Report 2021: India | Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/india.

(2) India witnessed significant human rights violations in 2022, says US .... https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-human-rights-issues-us-report-antony-blinken-press-internet-freedom-religious-violence-2349328-2023-03-21.

(3) World Report 2023: India | Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/india.

(4) Human Rights Violations  https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-rights-violations.

(5) Human Rights Day: Major cases of human rights violation in India. https://english.newsnationtv.com/campaign/human-rights-day/human-rights-day-major-cases-of-human-rights-violation-in-india-187948.html.

The European Union, which is working to strengthen ties with India and revamp negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, has failed to publicly raise concerns on India’s deteriorating human rights situation¹. Amnesty International has reported that laws and policies that were passed without adequate public and legislative consultation have eroded the rights of human rights defenders and religious minorities in India².

However, it is important to note that the Indian government has disputed allegations of human rights abuse. In July 2022, it took part in the 10th EU-India dialogue on human rights. In a press release following the meeting, both parties said that they had reiterated their commitment to protecting and promoting all human rights⁴.

(1) World Report 2021: India | Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/india.

(2) Human rights in India Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/india/report-india/.

(3) Human rights in India - House of Lords Library. https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/human-rights-in-india/.

(4) Human rights violations in India - Modern Diplomacy. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/10/22/human-rights-violations-in-india/.

(5) India: Excessive use of force, arbitrary ... - Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/06/india-excessive-use-of-force-arbitrary-detention-and-punitive-measures-against-protesters-must-end-immediately/.

According to Amnesty International, laws and policies that were passed without adequate public and legislative consultation have eroded the rights of human rights defenders and religious minorities in India. The government has selectively and viciously cracked down on religious minorities, and explicit advocacy of hatred by political leaders and public officials towards them has been commonplace and gone unpunished. Punitive demolitions of Muslim family homes and businesses have been carried out with impunity. Peaceful protesters defending minority rights have been presented and treated as a threat to public order. Repressive laws, including counterterrorism legislation, have been used rampantly to silence dissent. Authorities have intimidated human rights defenders using digital technologies, including unlawful surveillance.The EU-India Human Rights Dialogue is a forum for India and the European Union to discuss human rights issues and to reiterate their commitment to protecting and promoting all human rights. The 10th EU-India Human Rights Dialogue was held on July 15, 2022, in New Delhi. During the dialogue, both parties emphasized the universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of all human rights¹.

The dialogue allowed for discussions on a wide range of human rights issues, including civil and political rights, the rights of persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and opinion online and offline, women's empowerment, children's rights, LGBTQI+ rights, the rights of migrants, the use of technology in the area of democracy and human rights, issues of security and human rights, business and human rights, co-operation in public health, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief¹.

Both sides recognized the importance of safeguarding the freedom, independence, and diversity of civil society actors, including human rights defenders and journalists, and respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly. The EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment in all cases and without exception¹.

(1) 10th EU-India Human Rights Dialogue | EEAS. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/10th-eu-india-human-rights-dialogue_en.

(2) 9th EU-India Human Rights Dialogue - European External Action Service. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india_en/96472/9th%20EU-India%20Human%20Rights%20Dialogue.

(3) EU: Speak Out Against India’s Rights Violations - Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/11/eu-speak-out-against-indias-rights-violations.

(4) What is EU-India Human Rights Dialogues? - GKToday. https://www.gktoday.in/what-is-eu-india-human-rights-dialogues/.