Amnesty International has called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address specific human rights concerns in their respective nations.
“PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina should uphold their commitment to human rights under national and international laws,” said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India.
The human rights watchdog made the call during Sheikh Hasina’s ongoing visit to India.
It also said both leaders should reiterate their commitment to human rights before upcoming elections in their respective countries.
Amnesty India said Bangladesh has set an example by providing shelter to nearly a million Rohingya refugees, and India’s reluctance to accommodate 40,000 Rohingya refugees is disappointing.
“Indian authorities should follow suit by taking effective measures to protect Rohingya people escaping persecution and state violence. It is the shared duty of both nations to ensure refugees in their countries have supportive systems that is responsive to their needs.
“Governments in both countries have a duty to protect them from harm, especially in light of smear campaigns and widespread anti-refugee rhetoric,” said the head of Amnesty India.
“We also urge PM Modi and PM Hasina to ensure their governments hold rigorous investigations into fatal and near-fatal targeted attacks on historically and socially marginalized communities, as well as human rights defenders in India, and against indigenous and secular activists in Bangladesh,” said Aakar.