The Government must make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms. India is the worlds largest democracy & democratic engagement and freedom of the press are fundamental rights and a positive step towards creating a India that works for all.
1. Urge the Indian Government to ensure safety of protestors & press freedom
10/12/2020 - Petitions
Found: The Government must make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms.
India is the
2. Urge the Nigerian Government to ensure safety of protestors & press freedom
20/10/2020 - Petitions
Found: The Government must make a public statement on the #EndSARS protests & press freedoms. Nigeria is Africa’s
3. Farmers' protests in India
03/03/2021 - Early Day Motions
Found: of arrests of Indian farmers protesting controversial privatisation legislation in India; further notes
4. Najib Sharifi - written evidence
21/05/2019 - Inquiry: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Global media freedom - Foreign Affairs Committee
- View source
Found: Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (GMF0020) Executive summaryThe most urgent press freedom issues in Afghanistan
5. The Delicate Mind / نازک ذہن - written evidence
19/03/2019 - Inquiry: Global Britain and India - Foreign Affairs Committee
- View source
Found: relationship with India? How effective are the FCO and other parts of Government in building effective
1. Press Freedom and Safety of Protesters: India
08/03/2021 - Westminster Hall
1: in the new hybrid arrangements. Members present must stand when they are speaking. Interventions are - Speech Link
2: e-petition 563473 relating to press freedoms and safety of protestors in India.It is a pleasure to - Speech Link
2. Hong Kong: Covid-19
19/03/2020 - Lords Chamber
1: result of COVID-19; and the case for Her Majesty’s Government providing support to those affected in the light - Speech Link
2: country, or the problems concerning the anti-democratic, brutal measures being inflicted on the people - Speech Link
3. Kashmir
13/01/2021 - Westminster Hall
1: unlike here, in Kashmir lockdown is not about safety; it is about control. In our lockdown, we talk - Speech Link
4. Kashmir
19/01/2017 - Commons Chamber
1: international human rights on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir; calls on the Government to raise - Speech Link
2: international human rights on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir; calls on the Government to raise - Speech Link
3: fight time and again, in a peaceful manner, to ensure that this issue is high on the agenda so that we - Speech Link
5. India: Restrictions on Freedom
15/03/2021 - Lords Chamber
1: Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of India about reports - Speech Link
2: raised concerns about NGOs and human rights activists with the Indian high commissioner. In February, British - Speech Link
3: just one of numerous examples, more than 24 Dalit rights activists are in jail on unproven charges, including - Speech Link
You may be interested in these active petitions
A public statement by the Government will encourage transparency & accountability in the worlds Largest Democracy.
Media freedom and the right to protest are essential to robust democracies such as the UK and India. Governments have the power to enforce law and order if a protest crosses the line into illegality.
The UK Government is conscious of the level of concern regarding the farmers’ protests in India. We appreciate that there are strong feelings in the United Kingdom towards the issue and that many British citizens have family ties to farming communities in India.
Through our High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commissions across India, the Government is following developments closely. We understand that the Government of India has held several rounds of talks with farmers’ unions, and that in January the Supreme Court put three farming laws on hold and designated an expert committee to scrutinise the laws.
As would be expected between close partners, we have constructive discussions on a wide range of issues with India. The UK considers farming reform a matter for the Government of India. We consider the right to peaceful protest, freedom of speech, and internet freedom vital in any democracy. We also recognise that governments have the power to enforce law and order if a protest crosses the line into illegality. We look to the Indian government to uphold all freedoms and rights guaranteed in India’s strong constitution.
The Foreign Secretary discussed the farmers’ protests with his Indian counterpart during his visit to India in December 2020. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State responsible for South Asia and for Human Rights, speaks regularly to his opposite number in the Ministry of External Affairs and to the Indian High Commissioner in the UK. Human rights issues form part of their dialogue.
An independent media is essential to any robust democracy. The UK is committed to media freedom, and to championing democracy and human rights around the world. In 2018, the UK Government launched the Media Freedom Campaign to shine a global spotlight on media freedom and increase the cost to those abusing media freedom and persecuting journalists.
We regularly engage with India’s vibrant media, which promotes lively debate across the political spectrum. The British High Commission has undertaken project work such as the annual South Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme, under our flagship Chevening scholarship programme, which funded 17 fellows, including seven from India in 2019. In 2020, we supported the Thomson Reuters Foundation to run workshops for journalists to report on a range of human rights matters.
The UK Government will continue to follow the farmers’ protests closely. We respect that agricultural reforms are a matter for India, and will continue to champion human rights globally.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office