Australia must place human rights at the centre of dialogue with India during Prime Minister Modi’s visit

7 July 2026

Amnesty International Australia is calling on the Australian Government to use Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Melbourne from 8 to 10 July 2026 as an opportunity to reaffirm mutual commitment to human rights, democratic freedoms and the rule of law.

The Australian Government must raise concerns regarding the ongoing deterioration of human rights in India and to encourage the Indian Government to:

• ensure journalists, human rights defenders, academics and civil society organisations can carry out their work free from intimidation, arbitrary detention or prosecution;
  
• review the application of anti-terrorism and national security legislation to ensure these laws comply with international human rights standards and are not used to suppress peaceful dissent;
  
• address discrimination, violence and forced evictions affecting religious and ethnic minorities, and take measures to uphold equality before the law and protect all communities from discrimination and hate-based violence;
  
• engage meaningfully with United Nations human rights mechanisms, including by facilitating long-standing requests from UN Special Rapporteurs to visit India; and
  
• recognise the important role of independent human rights organisations and a vibrant civil society in strengthening democratic institutions and accountability.

Background

Amnesty International's State of the World's Human Rights 2025/26 documents a significant deterioration in India's human rights situation, including intensified restrictions on fundamental freedoms and a narrowing of civic space. The report highlights the continued targeting of journalists, human rights defenders, students, academics and peaceful protesters through the use of sedition and anti-terror legislation, as well as increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and arbitrary detention.

Since the commencement of Prime Minister Modi's third consecutive term in June 2024, Amnesty International has continued to document the impact of policies and practices that disproportionately affect marginalised communities, particularly Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities. This includes concerns regarding the discriminatory application of laws, including the Citizenship Amendment Act, and the demolition of Muslim homes, businesses and places of worship without due process following communal tensions or protests.

Amnesty International also continues to raise concerns regarding Jammu and Kashmir, including restrictions on civic space, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, prolonged detention of human rights defenders and activists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and limited access for United Nations human rights mechanisms.

Australia has consistently affirmed its commitment to universal human rights. As a close partner of India, Australia has an opportunity to engage through principled and constructive dialogue and to ensure that human rights remain a central component of bilateral relations.

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