'Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative' Writes to PM, Demands End to Racism against NE Indians

'Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative' Writes to PM, Demands End to Racism against NE Indians

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'Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative' Writes to PM, Demands End to Racism against NE Indians'Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative' Writes to PM, Demands End to Racism against NE Indians

New Delhi, March 30, 2020:

The Commonwealth Human Rights Inititive (CHRI) has now written to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voice against the rampant discrimination against NE Indians in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

"As you are aware, Prime Minister, many from the NER have experienced the sting of discrimination and prejudice even when they have engaged with and embraced this country and travelled widely to study settle and earn livelihoods. Many from the region have become national icons such as Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Mary Kom. At time when an invisible, deadly virus is wreaking havoc across the world killing as many as 18,000 people, your announcement of a 21-day lockdown to prevent further infection in India, while raising the significance of United action, needs to be realized across community and profession."

The body also stated that in the past few weeks, persons from the Northeast Indian states of India have become targets for racist attacks -- both physical and verbal.

"They have been beaten, dragged out of restaurants, threatened with boycott, told to leave rented accomodation and spat upon. This has been an ugly reflection of prejudice across the country with incidents reported from numerous cities", the human rights body said.

The CHRI has called upon all Chief Ministers and political leaders of all parties from the NE states to reach out to people from their communities who are fearful and stressed for reasons of prejudice and not just the disease.

The human rights organization has also voiced out against discriminatory acts towards essential service givers such as doctors, nurses, caregivers, and pilots.

"We note that others facing discrimination at the face of adversity are medical professionals and pilots who are at the forefront of India's war against COVID-19. Doctors are reportedly being asked to vacate and in some cases forced to leave their homes amid fears of infection. It has also been reported that some medical professionals were met with humiliation and assault after long hours of life-saving work, lamented the body. Now, the body has urged the Centre as well as State Governments to launch extensive information and social media campaigns to "destroy the rumours which only create more harmful conditions at a time of the epidemic."

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Edited By: Admin
Published On: Mar 30, 2020
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