SW News: The European Parliament has passed a resolution requesting the Indian government to take urgent steps to restore calm in the restive state of Manipur which is witnessing an ethnic conflict.

The resolution asking for measures to restore peace in Manipur comes in reaction to violent clashes that broke out in May as a result of an ongoing conflict between the predominantly Christian Kuki tribals and Hindu Meitei community members of Manipur. Over 1,700 homes and 250 churches were damaged, there have been at least 120 deaths and 50,000 people have been displaced.

The majority-approved resolution also demands that the Indian government take on the impunity enjoyed by mobs perpetrating the violence and respond to stem the violence following their international human rights obligations. Advocates for human rights have long drawn attention to the dire state of human rights in India, including laws and policies that severely restrict the liberties of minority religious groups. These groups are also the targets of harassment by radical mobs.

"ADF International welcomes the European Parliament resolution on Manipur and joins the EU in calling for urgent action to restore calm and ensure an inclusive dialogue with the participation of civil society and affected communities as the way out of the crisis," said Adina Portaru, senior counsel for ADF International in Brussels, which is actively involved in safeguarding religious freedom throughout the world.

"The ongoing religious freedom crisis we are seeing across India has erupted into violent destruction and chaos in Manipur," Portaru continued.

“It is long past time for India to eliminate any laws and policies that restrict people's freedom of religion in addition to dealing with the issue in Manipur. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Indian people.”

Member of European Parliament Miriam Lexmann said that while Indian officials often like to boast that the country is the world’s largest democracy, intolerance and violence against religious minorities paint a different picture. “These attacks against Christians are not isolated incidents. They are organized, leaving behind destruction and shattered lives. The European Union cannot close its eyes to these crimes,” pointed Lexmann.

Reports indicate that approximately 250 churches were burned down or somehow damaged in Manipur state. Religious symbols and places of worship were also frequently targeted. The state government failed to control and contain the unrest; the military was only called in a few days after the initial riots to stop more bloodshed and devastation.