Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the role of Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh state, in the Republic of India in connection with alleged (a) human rights abuses and (b) organised Islamophobic violence by (i) the police and (ii) others in that state following protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019.

The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India are following the siutation and the Government of India's response closely. The UK has long regarded protest as a key part of democratic society. Democratic governments must have the power to enforce law and order when a protest crosses the line into illegality; yet must in turn act with restraint and proportionality. We encourage all states to ensure their domestic laws are enforced in line with international standards. Any allegation of human rights abuses is deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and transparently.

We trust the Government of India will provide reassurances to its citizens who are expressing concern about the impact this legislation may have.