The report details how India has weaponized three prominent laws in India, that form its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework, namely the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)to stifle civil society organizations and human rights defenders. The FCRA, originally aimed at regulating foreign contributions, has been increasingly misused to arbitrarily cancel licenses, restrict funding, and impose burdensome requirements on Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs). The report shows how the stringent provisions within these laws that overturn the presumption of innocence, and have a broad definition of terrorism, are often invoked without proper judicial oversight against critical voices. The report finds that together, these laws have disproportionately impacted civil society limiting their freedom of association, expression, and operation. This misuse has resulted in the suppression of minority rights, environmental activism, and other human rights efforts.
It calls for revisiting FATF’s evaluations of India to prevent these abuses, urging more targeted and proportionate measures. Amnesty International recommends significant amendments to these laws to protect fundamental rights.
