Resolution on India, the situation in Manipur

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on India, the situation in Manipur.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.

The violent clashes that have taken place between the Meitei and Kuki ethnic communities in Manipur since 3 May 2023 have left at least 120 people dead and 50 000 displaced and have destroyed over 1 700 houses, over 250 churches and several temples and schools. Intolerance towards religious and belief minorities, including Christians, contributes to the violence.

Manipur’s state government has imposed a curfew and issued shoot-on-sight orders to enforce it, and has shut down the internet, severely hindering information gathering and reporting by the media and civil society groups.

Parliament strongly urged the Indian authorities to take all necessary measures and make the utmost effort to promptly halt the ongoing ethnic and religious violence, to protect all religious minorities, such as Manipur’s Christian community, and to pre-empt any further escalation. Political leaders are urged to cease inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role in mediating the tensions.

India’s central government and all political actors and religious leaders are urged to take urgent steps to restore calm and ensure an inclusive dialogue involving civil society and the affected communities.

The authorities are called on to:

- allow independent investigations into the violence, to tackle impunity and to end the internet shutdown;

- grant unhindered access to humanitarian aid providers, international observers and journalists.

The resolution reiterated the call for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including trade.

Lastly, Parliament urged the VP/HR, the Commission and the Member States to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns with India at the highest level, particularly regarding freedom of expression and religion and the shrinking space for civil society.