Amnesty International says razing of Muslim properties violates international human rights law
Amnesty International, a global rights group has said that unlawful demolition of properties owned by Muslims in India could “amount to collective punishment”.
It called for a “thorough, impartial and transparent investigation” into “reports of demolition of largely Muslim-owned shops and houses following incidents of communal violence” in several Indian cities this week. TRT World reported.
Issuing a statement the Amnesty International noted “In Khargone, a city in the central Madhya Pradesh state, “provocative slogans were allegedly raised near a mosque during Ram Navami celebrations, which led to a riot, stone pelting and violence.”
Claiming that they had identified the rioters and that the “damages will be recovered from (their) private or public property”, the authorities proceeded to demolish several properties and houses, most of them belonging to “economically disadvantaged Muslim families,” the statement observed.
Pointing out that the majority of the demolished properties are owned by Muslims, Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty International India’s board said that such punitive demolition of family homes of suspects could also amount to collective punishment, in violation of international human rights law.
Condemning the “deeply disturbing events”, Patel said the “unlawful action of demolishing private property of people suspected of rioting, allegedly without notice or other due process requirements is a major blow to the rule of law.”
He sought speedy and fair probe to bring the perpetrators to justice and called for effective remedy to the victims.
Patel asserted, “It is the duty of the state to protect all people within its jurisdiction, including minority communities.”
The report observed that India has witnessed a steep rise in hate speech and anti-Muslim actions since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose to power in 2014.
