US “concerned,” closely watching India’s Citizenship Amendment Act developments.
The United States has expressed its concerns regarding India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and stated that it is closely monitoring the implementation of the law. The US State Department highlighted the importance of respecting the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, urging all parties to maintain peace and refrain from violence. The CAA has sparked widespread debates and protests in India, drawing international attention to the issue.
The State Department Spokesperson emphasized that respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles. The statement comes amidst the ongoing concerns regarding India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which has prompted debates and protests across the nation.
The United States reiterated the importance of upholding these principles, urging dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences. The CAA, which provides a path to Indian citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from neighboring countries, has drawn international scrutiny. The US continues to closely monitor the situation, advocating for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.
In Washington, the United States expressed its concerns regarding the notification of India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act, stating that it is closely monitoring the implementation of the law. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a daily briefing with reporters, highlighted the significance of respecting religious freedom and ensuring equal treatment under the law for all communities.
“We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11,” Miller stated in response to a query.
India’s government put the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 into effect on Monday, creating a pathway for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
In response to the act, the Indian government issued a press statement reassuring Indian Muslims that they need not be concerned as the CAA does not affect their citizenship status. The statement emphasized that the CAA pertains to citizenship granting and does not impact the rights of Indian Muslims, who enjoy equal rights alongside their Hindu counterparts.
The Indian government has consistently stated that the CAA aims solely at offering citizenship and will not lead to any Indian citizen losing their citizenship status. As debates and discussions continue surrounding the implementation and implications of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, international attention, including from the United States, remains focused on ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and principles of democracy.