NEW DELHI MAY 28. Observing that the Muslim community in India became "increasingly vulnerable to victimisation by both the State and some Hindu political groups'' after September 11 and the attack on Parliament, the Amnesty International Report for 2002 states that the Indian authorities failed to protect people from communal violence in Gujarat.
While the annual report — released here this evening — makes no mention of Gujarat, the violence in the State has been included in the update circulated along with it. According to the update, "Indian authorities failed to protect people from communal violence which led to the deaths of hundreds of people and displacement of thousands'' in Gujarat.
Amnesty has recorded the growing discrimination against the Muslim community in the country in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the U.S., and the escalation of tension with the intensification of the VHP's campaign for the reconstruction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Given the climate that has been created in the world post-September 11, considerable attention has been paid to the global reaction to terrorism. Stating that the world had changed radically since September 11, Amnesty noted the speed with which a number of governments jumped on the `anti-terrorism' bandwagon and "seized the moment to step up repression, undermine human rights protection and stifle political dissent''. Also, "there was a greater reluctance by governments to criticise others' domestic policies''.
Of the view that the "universality of human rights is facing the strongest challenge yet with double-speak and selectivity becoming the norm'', Amnesty has noted with concern the manner in which the governments rushed through anti-terrorism legislations in the name of security. India, with the enactment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), also figures in the list of countries that brought in such legislation.
On Kashmir, Amnesty has placed on record the "passing international interest in the conflict'' as the Indian and Pakistani Governments engaged in a "tense build-up of military forces''. "However, scant attention was paid to the 100 civilians who were killed there each month.''
Releasing the report, the eminent jurist, A.G. Noorani, dwelt at length on India's double-speak on matters relating to human rights. And, in his opinion, politicians of all hues — be it the "great democrat, Jawaharlal Nehru'', I.K. Gujral or those who make up the present dispensation — became very guarded on human rights issues once in the seat of power.