CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: US Arms Sale & India’s Human Rights Violations

On February 1, the Biden administration notified Congress of intent to sell to India 31 Armed MQ-9B Reaper Drones with accompanying munitions (Hellfire missiles, bombs), hardware and software tech, and personnel for training and maintenance. The proposed sale raises serious questions about the government of India’s possible use of these weapons in violation of human rights law or the laws of war. On a larger level, it raises questions about U.S. foreign policy on India, the trajectory of the US-India relationship, and the Biden administration’s strategies in dealing with the government of India.

These concerns are amplified by the Indian government’s increasingly worrying human rights record and the scope and gravity of new reporting on the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, including Human Rights Watch’s reporting on the worsening trend including its recent 2024 World Report review of India’s record, a recent report by the American Bar Association on the Indian government’s grave abuses of counter-terrorism laws (and Amnesty-Human Rights Watch joint reporting on the same issue), highly concerning new assessments on India by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a new and devastating report on India by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum elevating its warnings on risks of mass violence, and a new report by Amnesty International on targeted demolitions of Muslim properties in India.

Please join a briefing on the proposed sale, including discussion of opportunities for Congressional action to address it, by senior staff from Amnesty International, Hindus for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the Center for International Policy.

WHAT: US Arms Sale & India’s Human Rights Violations

WHEN: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 – 10:30 am EST

WHERE: 2043 Rayburn HOB, 45 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC

REGISTER: Click here to register

SPEAKERS:

Carolyn Nash — Asia Advocacy Director, Amnesty International

John Sifton — Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch

Ria Chakrabarty — Policy Director, Hindus for Human Rights

Ari Tolany — Director, Security Assistance Monitor, Center for International Policy

Co-organized by: Genocide Watch, World Without Genocide, Indian American Muslim Council, Hindus for Human Rights, Dalit Solidarity Forum, New York State Council of Churches, Justice for All, Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America, India Civil Watch International, Center for Pluralism, International Commission for Dalit Rights, American Muslim Institution, International Society for Peace and Justice, North American Manipur Tribal Association, and Association of Indian Muslims of America