Make human rights part of the discussions with India, says Amnesty International ahead of the EU-India Summit taking place in Marseille.

A discussion on global challenges such as food security and climate change is not complete unless human rights are taken on board. Amnesty International therefore urges the EU to discuss India's retention of the death penalty, the harassment of human rights defenders and the attacks on religious minorities.

"As a major regional player and as the largest democracy in the world, India should set an example and change its track record on human rights violations," said Nicolas Beger, Director of Amnesty International's EU office.

Concerning the death penalty, for example, India could send a strong signal to the rest of Asia – the continent which executes the most people – if it abolished this practice. Despite India's claims that it only applies capital punishment in the "rarest of rare" cases, Amnesty International's information contradicts this. The organisation is concerned that death sentences continue to be passed in an arbitrary and discriminatory way.

The EU should also put pressure on the Indian authorities to become more effective in preventing and investigating the on going attacks on its Christian and Muslim minorities.

"So far we have seen very little progress by the Indian justice system to bring to trial the perpetrators of such crimes. This cannot continue. The EU should be very clear in reminding India that religious freedom and respect for minorities are essential pillars of a democratic system," added Beger.

Amnesty International welcomes the inclusion of the recent attacks against Christians in the Summit's discussions but hopes that the EU will not stop here. Muslims have also been targeted on a regular basis by extremists, and human rights defenders are often harassed and prevented from exercising their freedom of expression - numerous peaceful protestors, for example, have been arbitrarily arrested and sometimes even tortured.

In a letter, the human rights organisation called on the EU to pressure India to:

  • Abolish the death penalty and engage in international efforts towards a global moratorium;
  • Guarantee religious freedom and freedom of expression for all;
  • Bring to justice those who have committed attacks against minorities and human rights defenders.

For more information see the report The Death Penalty in India: A Lethal Lottery.