Categorically describing the recent attacks on African nationals in Greater Noida as ‘racist’, the envoys of Africa stationed here said on Monday that they would take India to the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations.In a statement issued toThe Hindu, the Office of the Dean of the African Group Head of Missions said all diplomatic options were on the tableto serve justice to the victims of the attack that targeted Nigerian nationals in Greater Noida on March27.“The Heads of the African Missions accredited to India reviewed the previous incidents that have taken place in the past and concluded thatno known, sufficient and visible deterring measures were taken by the Government of India,” said the press release.“They agreed to take further actions,including the call for an independentinvestigation by the Human Rights Council as well as other human rights bodies, and also to comprehensively report the matter to the African Union Commission”.Also ReadOnce a hub, few Africans left in Khirki ExtensionThe statement from the African envoys is the strongest one since they threatened to boycott the AfricaDay celebration of May 25 2016 after the murder of a Congolese teacher in Delhi. However, the latest statement is unprecedented as this promises an international inquiry bythe HRC into the attacks.The statement “strongly condemned” the attack in Greater Noida, saying the Indian authorities did not sufficiently condemn the attack.“As regards the recent unfortunate incident in Greater Noida, the African Heads of Mission strongly condemn the incident and express their deep concern and also take note that these reprehensible events, were not sufficiently condemned by the Indian Authorities. The meeting unanimously agreed that those accumulated attacks against Africans are xenophobic and racial in nature,” it said.Here is the full text of their statement:The Heads of African Mission accredited to India convened a special meeting to look into the recent attacks against African students in Greater Noida. They reviewed the previous incidents that have taken place in the past and concluded that no known, sufficient and visible deterring measures weretaken by the Government of India.As regards the recent unfortunate incident in Greater Noida, the African Heads of Mission strongly condemn the incident and express their deep concern and also take note that these reprehensible events, both outstanding and unresovled cases against Africans, were not sufficiently condemned by the Indian authorities. The meeting unanimously agreed that those accumulated attacks agaisnt Africans are xenophobic and racial in nature.They equally expressed their expectations for strong condemnation from the highest political level (both nationally and locally) of the Government of India, as well as expediting legal actions against the perpetrators. They agreed to take further actions including the call for an independentinvestigation by the Human Rights Council as well as other human rights bodies, and also to comprehensively report the matter to the African Union Commission.
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