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India defends its stand over USCIRF visa row
With the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressing its disappointment at being denied visa by the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that foreign entity like USCIRF does not have a \'locus standi\' to comment on India\'s constitutionally protected rights.
Washington : With the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressing its disappointment at being denied visa by the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that foreign entity like USCIRF does not have a 'locus standi' to comment on India's constitutionally protected rights.
A three-member delegation of USCIRF was scheduled to leave for a one-week visit to India to collect information for preparing an annual report on religious freedom.
A statement by Indian Embassy in Washington, said that India is a vibrant pluralistic society founded on strong democratic principles, where the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including the right to freedom of religion.
"The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens including the right to freedom of religion. We do not see the locus standi of a foreign entity like USCIRF to pass its judgment and comment on the state of Indian citizens' constitutionally protected rights," the release said.
"We look forward to continuing working with the United States Government for sharing of experience and best practice on all issues of mutual interest under the established bilateral mechanisms like the India-United States Global Issues Forum," it added.
According to reports, this is not the first time the USCIRF members have not been issued visas. The members, who prepare an annual report on religious freedom in countries across the globe, were denied the visas for the first time in previous UPA regime.
USCIRF's principal responsibilities include reviewing, through the lens of international human rights law, the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
