<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/03/australias-quiet-diplomacy-approach-to-human-rights-in-india-has-failed-advocates-say>
"The Australian government has refused to be drawn on human rights in India,
prompting accusations that it has shelved uncomfortable issues to boost trade
and security ties.
Human Rights Watch said the “quiet diplomacy” approach favoured by the west had
failed to have any visible impact on India and urged the Australian prime
minister, Anthony Albanese, to raise human rights during his visit to the
country next week.
BBC offices in India were raided by tax department officials in February, just
weeks after the release of a documentary critical of the prime minister,
Narendra Modi, which examined rising tensions between his Hindu nationalist
government and the minority Muslim population.
The Indian government invoked emergency laws to block the documentary, which
included details from a British Foreign Office report that alleged Modi was
“directly responsible” for a “climate of impunity” that enabled deadly riots in
the western state of Gujarat in 2002.
Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat at the time, denies the
allegations. A spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry said the documentary –
released in January – lacked objectivity and reflected a “continuing colonial
mindset”.
In the lead-up to his planned trip to India next week, Albanese was asked about
the Gujarat riot allegations and whether he would raise contemporary human
rights concerns with Modi.
The prime minister did not engage with the substance of the question. He said
he was determined to build a better relationship between Australia and India
and he looked forward to having “positive discussions” with his counterpart."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
