CBI raid part of ‘harassment pattern’ against us: Amnesty

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday registered a case against Amnesty International India and three of its associate organisations for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, in its funding.

After the case was registered, the CBI conducted searches at the offices of Amnesty International India and Indians for Amnesty International Trust in Bengaluru.

In a statement later in the day, Amnesty International said that the searches were part of “a pattern of harassment” that has emerged over the past few years. It said that every time it “stands up and speaks out against human rights violations in India”, it faces repercussions.

The human rights body said in a statement: “Amnesty International India stands in full compliance with Indian and international law. Our work in India, as elsewhere, is to uphold and fight for universal human rights. These are the same values that are enshrined in the Indian Constitution and flow from a long and rich Indian tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and dissent.”

“As part of the Nobel Prize-winning movement, Amnesty International India holds itself to the highest evidentiary standards. Over four million Indians have supported Amnesty International India’s work in the last six years and around 100,000 Indians have made financial contributions.

“Our work in India, as elsewhere, is to uphold universal human rights and build a global movement of people who take injustice personally,” the statement read.

News agency PTI quoted officials as saying said the CBI registered the case on November 5 following a complaint lodged by the Home Ministry for alleged violation of the provision of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Indian Penal Code.

The case was registered against Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd (AIIPL), Indians For Amnesty International Trust (IAIT), Amnesty International India Foundation Trust (AIIFT), Amnesty International South Asia Foundation (AISAF) and others.

It was alleged that the provision of the FCRA and IPC were contravened by the aforesaid entities by receiving foreign contributions from Amnesty International UK through AIIPL even though prior registration or permissions were denied to AIIFT and other trusts under FCRA, the officials said.