Some NGOs acted illegally: India defends FCRA action

Organisations Must Abide By Law, Delhi Says At UNHRC Review

Asserting that activities of civil society and human rights groups must conform to local laws, the government on Thursday said at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group meeting at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that action was taken against some organisations due to their illegal practices.

Some member states, like Ireland, had raised concerns over the issue of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, under which over 6,000 NGOs have had their operation licences revoked. The US called on India to improve transparency of licence adjudications related to FCRA as well as to ensure prosecution of those responsible for human rights abuses.