COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN

USCIRF ( Unites states commission on international religious freedom ) has labelled India as a country of particular concern ( CPC ) in 2022. However , it is the third time in a row , starting from year 2020 and in 2021 also , when USCIRF has labelled India as a Country of particular concern .
Other than labelling India as CPC , USCIRF has also called for TARGETED SANCTIONS .

What does country of particular concern ( CPC ) mean ?

Country of particular concern refers to those countries , whose governments are either engage in OR tolerates , serious violations of religious freedom .
So , USCIRF by classifying India as CPC , directly or indirectly, has alleged that Indian government is either involved in violation of religious freedom OR Indian government is tolerating the actions of those individuals or entities who are violating religious freedom .
So , for India it is definitely going to be a concern because it may affect India’s international interests negatively. .

What does Targeted sanctions refers to ?

USCIRF has also called for Targeted Sanctions . With targeted sanctions , it refers to barring entry into US . It has recommended for targeted sanctions for those individuals or entities , who are indulged in severe religious freedom violations .

ABOUT USCIRF

USCIRF stands for united states commission on international religious freedom .
USCIRF is an independent , bipartisan body . It has been created by International religious freedom act , 1988 ( IFRA ).
Work of USCIRF – USCIRFs work is to monitor religious freedom violations globally .USCIRF after monitoring , gives policy recommendations to President of US , the secretary of state and to the Congress .
Members – USCIRF is led by 9 part time commissioners . Commissioners are appointed by the President of US and leaders of both political parties in the house and the Senate .
Qualifications for being member – Those individuals who have knowledge and experience in the field of international religious freedom , foreign affairs , human rights and international law , are appointed as commissioners .
Report – USCIRF presents it’s report annually .

Why does USCIRF want INDIA to be designated as a CPC ?

USCIRF claims that present Indian government is promoting Hindu – Nationalist agenda , which negatively affects the interests of Muslims , Christians , Sikhs , Dalits and other religious minorities .
The Report also observed that , Indian government is systematizing it’s ideological vision of a Hindu state at both national and state levels .
Report also observed that new laws are being framed and old ones are being changed which are against religious minorities interests .
Report highlighted the use of UAPA act ( Unlawful activities prevention act ) against minorities , particularly Muslims and Christians .
By taking into account all these factors USCIRF concluded that India met the criteria of being classified as a CPC .

Are recommendations of USCIRF binding on US government ?

No , the recommendations of USCIRF are not binding on US government .
It’s recommendations are only advisory , not binding .
Final decision on labelling a nation as CPC is taken by US state department and it’s office of International Freedom.

Impact on India

US state department has not acted upon USCIRF advice so far . However , India this time may come under pressure . Why ?
Because of 2 reasons –
INDIA has divergent position over ongoing UKRAINE – RUSSIA war in relation to US position .
India has not voted against Russia on the US backed resolutions at UN . Those resolutions were against Russia . India has mostly abstained from voting .
So , due to these 2 reasons India may come under pressure in 2022 .
However , this is the third year in a row when India has been recommended for CPC categorization . In , 2020 , India’s external affairs minister , S. Jaishankar called the commission ( USCIRF ) an organization of particular concern .

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Conclusion –

India is a sovereign , Secular and Republic state . India has given freedom to all the different religions since independence , there is no doubt in it . However , such recommendations definitely hampers India’s interests negatively and if there exists some sort of problems then India should look into it .