11th EU-India Human Rights Dialogue: Reflections from the Diaspora

Press release 

Brussels, 09/01/2025   

Representatives from the European Commission, the Indian government and EU Member States met yesterday in New Delhi for the 11th EU-India Human Rights Dialogue.   

As an Indian-diaspora led organisation, we welcome this development of discussions over their human rights records and obligations, and we hope such dialogues will be undertaken with much fervour, frequency and at a higher level between both blocs in the future.   

Both India and the EU discussed critical issues such as freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and safeguarding the rights of human rights defenders, civil society organisations and journalists.   

In order to prevent the human rights dialogue from becoming a box-ticking exercise, Foundation The London Story believes that future dialogues should include concrete steps both parties will take to ensure:  

1. The ethno-religious conflict in Manipur, including the use of internet shutdowns and curfews, ends.   
2. Human rights defenders, students and activists are not repressed by governments in either blocs. In India, the cessation of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against these groups.
3. Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, including for journalists, and media freedoms are not suppressed.
4. Freedom of religion or belief is not eroded.

As democracies, both blocs must commit to their human rights obligations; the Indian constitution explicitly upholds human rights including freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and minority rights. Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union (TEU), which enshrines respect for human rights, including the rights of minority groups, is the fundamental basis of the EU’s internal and external actions.  

Foundation The London Story demands that Executive Vice President/ High Representative of the European Union, Kaja Kallas and the European Commission enact the European Parliament’s decision that human rights and democracy must move from ‘an appendix to the heart of the EU-India relations.’  

The European Commission cannot set a precedent whereby mutual respect for human rights and democratic values are set aside for partnerships with third countries due to their geopolitical position. The European Commission must guarantee that the human rights of EU and Indian citizens are not compromised when working towards an EU-India Free Trade Agreement and Digital Partnership, including the right to privacy as protected in the EU Charter.  

For more information or comments contact:    

Foundation The London Story Advocacy Team  

advocacy@thelondonstory.org