India appreciates the work of human rights defenders, journalists and activists, but their activities must conform to the law, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said at Geneva on Thursday, The Hindu reported.
Mehta made the statement during India’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The solicitor general said that action was taken against some organisations on account of their “illegal practices, including malafide re-routing of money and wilful and continuing violations of extant legal provisions, foreign exchange management rules and tax law of India”.
Mehta said that India is home to more than 1,00,000 independent civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations, which play an important role in protecting human rights, PTI reported.
He said that the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act are similar to those in foreign countries. “All data related to registration, renewal, annual returns are in the public domain,” he said. “In cases of refusal, reasons and provisions under the Act and rules are specifically cited and the applicant is duly informed.”
Mehta said that even if applications for renewal are rejected or cancelled, organisations can still seek permission to receive funds on a case-to-case basis.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act lays down conditions under which civil society organisations can receive funds from abroad. An amendment to the law passed…
