(a) whether the Amnesty International has criticized the Bush administration`s war on terror and urged India to be a fearless, principled international player;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether India proposes to emphasize upon human rights and rule of law in view of the alleged atrocities committed on Iraqi prisoners; and
(d) if so, the details in this regard ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)
(a) & (b) Amnesty International and its office bearers have been critical of aspects of the `war on terror` in several of their statements and articulations. This includes an opinion piece by Ms Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, which appeared in the Hindu newspaper and is available on the website of the newspaper for 15th February 2006. The piece is headlined `India must speak up on human rights and rule of law`, with a subheading `The Secretary General of Amnesty International criticises the Bush administration`s `war on terror` and urges New Delhi to be a fearless, principled international player`.
(c) & (d) India believes in the protection of human rights and the observance of rule of law and considers the ill-treatment and abuse of Iraqi prisoners abhorrent. The countries concerned must take all steps necessary to prevent recurrence.