15 Congressmen write to Mike Pompeo in support of two prominent Indian lawyers

A group of 15 influential US lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, on August 7 reached out to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to seek his intervention in case of two Indian human rights lawyers allegedly being harassed and targeted by government for criminal investigation.

In a letter to Pompeo, lawmakers led by Congressman Jamie Raskin urged Pompeo to respond to "alarming case" of two prominent human rights lawyers  Anand Grover and Indira Jaising - who y alleged have been targeted by government for criminal investigation and harassment because of ir defense of human rights.

Congressmen, in ir letter dated August 7, urged Pompeo to support human rights in India and publicly condemn Indian Government's actions that threaten indispensable vocacy of human rights defenders.

letter among ors have been signed by James P McGovern, Elear Holmes rton, ria Espaillat, Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky, Alan Lowenthal, Frank Pallone, Jr, Lloyd Doggett, Henry C "Hank" Johnson, Jr, Deb Haaland, Elijah E Cummings, Rosa L DeLauro and Lisa Blunt Rochester.

protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be a cornerstone of US foreign policy, including with our closest partners, lawmakers argued.

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"We urge you to make a strong public statement dressing Government of India's dangerous moves to constrain freedom of expression, association, and speech. We also urge you to raise Mr Grover and Ms Jaising's case with Government of India prior to expiration of stay on August 19," Congressmen urged Pompeo.

In ir letter, Congressmen said that on June 13, Central Bureau of Investigation filed a criminal case against Lawyers Collective based "on unsubstantiated allegations" that Collective misused foreign funds.

n, on July 11, CBI raided homes and offices of Grover and Jaising, prominent human rights lawyers and co-founders of Lawyers Collective, y said.

Lawyers Collective is an internationally-respected human rights organisation providing legal services and vocacy on behalf of human rights activists, women, LGBTQ+ community and or marginalised groups, letter ded.

"Of special concern, both Mr Grover and Ms Jaising have held important positions at United Nations (UN). allegations target activities related to those UN positions, raising specter of official interference with critical independent role played by UN and its experts," lawmakers said. 

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