I understand that the new laws to which the Deputy refers relate to changes to existing laws passed by State legislatures in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh States. I am not aware of any proposal for anti-conversion laws at the federal level. Indeed federal law in India provides for freedom of religious expression.
Ireland is committed to religious freedom and condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. Ireland, with its EU partners, has previously expressed concern at various international fora, including at the United Nations, over the climate of intolerance towards religious groups in a number of countries around the world.
Together with our partners in the EU, we follow closely developments relating to the situation of Christian and other minority communities in India. These and other human rights concerns are regularly addressed within the framework of regular consultations on human rights between the EU and India.
In September 2005, the EU and India agreed a Joint Action Plan to strengthen the Strategic Partnership, in place since 2004. Continuing the dialogue on pluralism, diversity and human rights is an important goal of the Joint Action Plan, which commits both India and the EU to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The most recent discussion on human rights issues, including the rights of minorities and the right to religious freedom, took place with the Indian authorities in New Delhi on 1 December 2005. The EU Heads of Mission Troika met with representatives from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Commission for Minorities.
I welcome initiatives such as the recent introduction by the Government of India, in the Indian Parliament, of the Communal Violence Suppression Bill, which will give special powers to the central government to deal with communal violence in Indian States. The EU is also following the questions relating to the discrimination against Christian Dalits which have been brought to the jurisdiction of the Indian Supreme Court.
I have asked our Embassy in New Delhi to continue to carefully monitor developments in this area.