"Gov. Gavin Newsom recently vetoed what would have been landmark legislation aimed at protecting Californians from transnational repression, when foreign governments target diaspora communities and expatriates living in other countries. Newsom's decision is a missed opportunity to help Californians feel safer, especially the state's sizable South Asian community, which for years has faced intimidation and violence orchestrated by India's Hindu nationalist government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
"The FBI defines transnational repression as when foreign governments reach beyond their borders to harm members of their diaspora and exile communities in the United States. It can include stalking, harassment, abusive legal practices, online disinformation campaigns, assault and even assassinations. A quarter of the world's governments use repressive tactics to silence critics living outside their borders, according to the human rights group Freedom House."
"While countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and China are notable culprits, India is becoming notorious as one of the only democracies engaging in acts of aggression against Indian expats. Last year a bipartisan group of U.S. Congress members co-sponsored a resolution that listed India among the major perpetrators of foreign maltreatment. India's Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party, which seeks to transform the country from a secular democracy into a Hindu majoritarian state, has long relied on intimidation and violence to silence dissent within its borders."
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed proposed California legislation that would have aimed to protect residents from transnational repression, leaving concerns about safety among diaspora communities. Transnational repression occurs when foreign governments reach beyond their borders to harm diaspora and exile communities, including stalking, harassment, abusive legal tactics, online disinformation, assault and assassinations. Freedom House reports that a quarter of world governments use such repressive tactics. India has been identified among major perpetrators, with a Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party accused of using intimidation and violence to silence dissent. Notable 2023 incidents include the fatal shooting of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and an attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]