Lessons for India from the US Congressional hearing on Human Rights CENJOWS 29 Oct 19
https://cenjows.gov.in/article-detail?id=220
Lessons for India from the US Congressional hearing on Human Rights CENJOWS 29 Oct 19
The US House of Representatives sub-committee on Asia, the Pacific and non-proliferation, chaired by California Congressman Brad Sherman met last week to discuss, ‘Human Rights in South Asia.’ Interestingly, as the hearing progressed, it became evident, that South Asia comprised only of Kashmir, with some interest on the National Register of Citizens of Assam. Human rights abuses in Pakistan’s Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tamils in Sri Lanka and the genocide of Balochis in Pakistan (who were not even invited to testify), were all ignored as most members of the committee felt these regions were not a part of South Asia.
Thus, it was a one-sided narrative which flowed in the sub-committee. The reasons were obvious. Firstly, the committee comprising largely of Democrats, who loathed the Modi-Trump bonhomie at his recent rally in Houston. Secondly, Congress woman Ilhan Omar, known to even support Sharia law dominated the discussion, only aimed at hitting against India.
Thirdly, the refusal of permission by the government to Senator Chris Van Hollen to visit the valley. Fourthly, India possibly becoming overconfident has ignored its interactions on Capitol Hill, thereby losing the advantage they held till now. Finally, Democrats claim to be strong human rights votaries.
Brad Sherman who headed the committee is also the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Thus, the approach of the committee was a surprise for the Indian government. Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation and who was present during the hearing, mentioned that the ‘committee was more concerned on internet access in Kashmir and not on forced conversions of Hindu women in Pakistan or the lack of rights in POK.’
The major positives were that none questioned the right of India to abrogate Article 370. They also understood that apart from the valley there were no protests on the government’s decisions in either Jammu or Ladakh. The fact that India is home to over 200 million Muslims and across the country there were no objections, implied that the community was aware that abrogation of article 370 and subsequent communication clampdown was for betterment, was ignored.
Senior Indian journalist, Aarti Tikoo Singh, who flew into Washington at the Congressional invitation to testify was appalled at the attitude of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who followed a single point agenda of accusing India. She stated as part of her testimony, ‘Throughout these 30 years of conflict, Islamic Jihad and terror in Kashmir perpetrated by Pakistan has been completely ignored and overlooked by the world press. There is no human rights activist and no press in the world which feels that it is their moral obligation to talk or write about the victims of Pakistani terror in Kashmir.’
In response, Ilhan Omar accused Aarti of representing the official side of the story and cast aspirations on her journalistic credentials and did not let her speak. In response, Aarti mentioned in despair to Brad Sherman, ‘That is very unfair.’
The US government’s statement was given by Alice G Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and South East Asia. Her statement covered the entire region. As it concerns Jammu and Kashmir, which appeared to be the focus of the sub-committee, she stated, ‘The security situation in Kashmir remains tense. Clashes between youth and security forces are a regular occurrence, and Indian forces killed suspected terrorists in multiple firefights last week. We are concerned about reports of local and foreign militants attempting to intimidate residents and business owners in order to stymie normal economic activity. The United States supports the rights of Kashmiris to peacefully protest but condemns the actions of terrorists who seek to use violence and fear to undermine dialogue.’
On Pakistan support to terrorist groups, she stated, ‘Pakistan’s harbouring of terrorist groups like Lashkar-e- Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammed, which seek to foment violence across the Line of Control, is destabilizing, and Pakistani authorities remain accountable for their actions. We believe the foundation of any successful dialogue between India and Pakistan is based on Pakistan taking sustained and irreversible steps against militants and terrorists in its territory.’ On Pakistan she stated, ‘We remain deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses and discrimination faced by Pakistanis because of their faith… The overall situation prompted Secretary Pompeo to designate Pakistan a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act in 2018.’ Not a word was mentioned on these aspects in the hearing.
The sub-committee criticised the non-granting of permission to Senator Chris Van Hollen and questioned Alice Wells on the issue. Brad Sherman stated, ‘Are we supposed to trust these government of India officials when it doesn’t allow our diplomats to visit?’ Abigail Spanberger, a member of the committee stated, ‘How is the State Department accepting that at this time, India, a close strategic partner for the United States on everything from trade to military cooperation, is telling us that we cannot allow US diplomats to enter Kashmir?’
Ilhan Omar also tweeted, ‘Kashmiris have been restricted from communicating outside the country for 50+ days. In Assam, almost 2 million people are being asked to prove their citizenship. At what point do we question, whether Modi shares our values?’ This indicates that the intention of the line of questioning was to embarrass India. Ilhan Omar had at one stage been a member of a Somali terrorist group, had rundowns with Trump on social media and has openly loathed anyone close to him. Hence, her anti-India rant was expected.
Clearly, the emphasis was India and particularly Kashmir, with most other issues either ignored or just given a passing reference. Genocide in Baluchistan and Pak actions against the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, forced conversions of minorities, clampdown in POK and internet and mobile restrictions in these areas of Pak for months or even years, was ignored and not even discussed. Nor was Pak’s support to terrorism.
The aim was to target India and the reason was obvious. It was the Modi-Trump bonhomie, which could result in the Indian American community voting for Trump, which could further damage the Democrats. The committee ignored the fact that Indian forces retaliated to Pak’s infiltration attempts by a strong artillery response just a day before the hearing, implying Pak continues with its double-sided game of promising to stop terrorism on one hand while attempting infiltration with the other. It was evident that the committee considered South Asia as only being restricted to Kashmir.
A similar Congress body had earlier sought to block US arms sales and deployment of additional troops in Saudi Arabia as also it be censured for the Jamaal Khashoggi incident, none of which was even considered by the Trump administration. In case it even recommends any action, it would be ignored.
Few conclusions emerge. Firstly, the hearing has nothing to do with support to Pak but more on Modi-Trump bonhomie which would hurt the Democrats in the coming US Presidential elections. Secondly, somewhere down the line, India needs to reengage with Capitol Hill. It has either failed to project its own side of the picture correctly or has been brash and ignored the Democrats. The Indian overconfidence was evident when it denied permission to the US senator to visit Kashmir.
Thirdly, Kashmir is coming onto the global stage, an action India has always sought to avoid. Finally, the narrow view taken by US lawmakers, ignoring balance South Asia and focussing only on Kashmir implies that the entire exercise was aimed at embarrassing India and its decision.
Pak may cheer the hearing as it played out but remains aware that it was not aimed to support their moves. It was more a battle to discredit India which has been growing close to the Republican US government. Members of the US Congress remain aware that no matter who comes to power in the US, India can never be ignored. It is too important a strategic partner and trade ally to be rebuked. While India may ignore the hearing as its impact would not be of much value in the current US dispensation, it needs to regain its influence in Washington.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army