In what can be considered a setback for PM Narendra Modi, on the eve of his visit to Paris as the guest of honor at France’s Bastille Day celebrations, the European Parliament has announced that it will debate on the ethnic violence in Manipur at a session in the French city of Strasbourg. The discussion on the motion is scheduled for 12 July, with a vote set to take place on 13 July.
A motion for a resolution on the Manipur situation was tabled in the Brussels-based EU parliament on Wednesday and was passed by six parliamentary groups under the “Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the Rule of Law.”
When asked about this development, Indian Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra emphasized that the issue is “totally internal” to India.
He added, “We are aware of what in Brussels and in the parliament is happening. And we have made a reach out to the concerned EU parliamentarians, but we have made it very clear, this is a matter totally and absolutely internal to India.”
Resolution on Manipur violence
The motion for a resolution which was tabled in the EU Parliament by six parliamentary groups criticized the Modi government’s handling of the two-month-long violence in the state. The European Parliament called upon the Indian government and local authorities to permit unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach those affected by the situation. It also stressed the need for independent monitors to conduct investigations.
Furthermore, the Parliament urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and called upon political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory statements. The aim is to rebuild trust and for these leaders to play an impartial role in mediating tensions.
Additionally, the European Parliament appealed to the central government to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in alignment with the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The restoration of unimpeded internet access was also emphasized.