Amnesty International halts India operations, alleges witch-hunt by government

The organisation in its latest statement said the freezing of its bank accounts has left all works to a "grinding halt".

Amnesty International said in a press statement, "This is an egregious and shameful act by the Indian Government, which forces us to cease the crucial human rights work of Amnesty International India for now..."

In a direct attack on the government, the organisation said, "It is a dismal day when a country of India’s stature, a rising global power and a member of the UN Human Rights Council, with a constitution which commits to human rights and whose national human rights movements have influenced the world, so brazenly seeks to silence those who pursue accountability and justice.

"As many of our colleagues have lost their jobs this week thanks to the actions of the Government of India, we will look for ways to continue our support to them as we continue to call on the Government to end its shameful crackdown on those who stand up for human rights of Indians.”

On the contrary, the government has accused Amnesty International of receiving foreign funds illegally.

Stating the alleged irregularities in receiving foreign funds is being probed by the Enforcement  Directorate (ED), the government said the organisation got money through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route, which is not allowed for non-profits.