Amnesty International halts India operations citing govt witch-hunt

Home ministry hits back, says human rights not an excuse for defying law

Amnesty International on Tuesday halted its work in India days after its bank accounts were frozen by the government in what the organisation called a witch-hunt of human rights organisations.

Amnesty International was compelled to let go of staff and pause all ongoing campaigns and research work after it came to know about the freezing on September 10. Avinash Kumar, executive director of Amnesty International India, said the government crackdown over the past two years was not accidental and was akin to freezing dissent.

“The constant harassment by government agencies, including the ED, is a result of our unequivocal calls for transparency