Amnesty International shuts India operations, says govt 'freezing dissent'

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) began proceedings following an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of an alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act

Over a week after the Enforcement Directorate froze the bank accounts of Amnesty International in India, the organisation has shut its Indian operations with several human rights projects set to be stalled. The development has also led to the laying off of around 150 employees across India and paused several research works. 

"The continuing crackdown on Amnesty International India over the last two years and the complete freezing of bank accounts is not accidental. The constant harassment by government agencies including the Enforcement Directorate is a result of our unequivocal calls for transparency in the government, more recently for accountability