Amnesty not likely to get security nod under FCRA

NEW DELHI: Facing charges of sedition for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during a panel discussion on Kashmir, Amnesty International may find it difficult to get security clearance for registration under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). FCRA allows a non-government organisation to receive foreign contribution without prior approval.

According to MHA, Amnesty International India has recently approached them for a licence following which the home ministry sought a security clearance report from the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) before allowing or denying registration.

A senior government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity toldET: “If charges under sedition are proved, the international NGO will come under the scanner of security agencies and may be denied a licence. We have sought a report and are examining the matter expeditiously.”

When contacted, Amnesty spokesperson said, “no comments.” In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Amnesty International denied that any of its employees indulged in raising anti-India slogans and speaking against the Army. “The allegations mentioned in the complaint are without substance. Towards the end of the event, some of those who attended raised slogans, some of which referred to calls for ‘Azaadi’ (freedom).



Amnesty International India as a matter of policy does not take any position in favour of or against demands for self-determination.”

However, Amnesty International India considers that the right to freedom of expression includes the right to peacefully advocate political solutions.

A Nobel peace prize winning organisation, Amnesty is engaged in advocating and campaigning for human rights. In the past, the NGO has been highly critical of Indian security agencies and the Indian government for ‘violation’ of human rights.

As per officials, Saturday’s panel discussion in Bengaluru was held as part of a campaign based on the report ‘Denied: Failures in accountability for human rights violations by security force personnel in J&K,’ published in July 2015, and publicly available.