US State Department to hold a hearing on human rights in South Asia

The United States Department of State which is a federal executive department responsible for carrying out US foreign policy and international relations said on September 27 that it's South Asia subcommittee will hold a hearing on "Human Rights in South Asia" next month. The subcommittee deals with all matters concerning US relations with the countries of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia, as well as regional intergovernmental organizations. Its regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to terrorism and non-proliferation; crime and illicit narcotics; US foreign assistance programs; and the promotion of US trade and exports. Other than this, the subcommittee has global responsibility for counterterrorism matters as well.

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In a tweet on Friday, Acting Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees State Department policy towards South Asia, wrote: "Consultation with Congress is essential. Today I had the opportunity to brief Members of @HouseForeign and the India Caucus on #USIndia relations & look forward to an open hearing on human rights in South Asia in October".

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Issues to be raised in the subcommittee's hearings

Earlier on September 3, Congressman Brad Sherman had also announced about the hearing citing that the Congress had invited Acting Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees State Department policy towards South Asia, Sam Brownback, the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, and other State Department officials, and the Congress seeks to accommodate their schedules. The committee also plans to hear from private human rights activists on the issues, he added. Earlier in July, the Subcommittee held a hearing on human rights in Southeast Asia. The next hearing which was mentioned by Alice is expected to be held in China, which will focus in large part on events in Hong Kong and the internment of the Uighur minority. 

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"The hearing on 'Human Rights in South Asia' will focus on a number of subjects. The Subcommittee will review the treatment of the Rohingya by the government of Burma (Myanmar) and credible accusations that this minority is subject to ethnic cleansing and genocide. The Subcommittee had the opportunity to review this situation in July as the plight of the Rohingya affects both the South and Southeast Asia regions," said Congressman Brad Sherman in a statement posted on his personal blog.

(With inputs from ANI)

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