Green Party condemns extreme and violent measures taken by police forces across India against farmers engaged in peaceful demonstration
10 December 2020
Satnam Deuchakar, international policy officer for Greens of Colour, said:
“The Green Party of England and Wales fights for social and climate justice. We support the farmers in India who are resisting market-driven legal changes that will destroy their livelihoods. And we defend their fundamental right to peaceful protest as the cornerstone of any functioning democracy.
“The images emerging of the use of water cannons and tear gas against an unarmed group of citizens are deeply concerning. This action goes against the fundamental right to peaceful protest as enshrined in Articles 9 to 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1966 International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
“Farmers are the backbone of the Indian economy and are protesting peacefully against the mass privatization of the agricultural sector and unjust and damaging changes to farming laws. We urge the Indian government to return to the negotiating table and to seek peaceful measures to resolve the situation.
“The Green Party of England and Wales stands in solidarity with the Indian farmers.”