The 2023 Human Rights Report from the United States has brought attention to "significant" abuses in Manipur, particularly concerning ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023. Released by the US State Department, the report also addresses other key issues such as raids on the UK-based broadcaster BBC by tax authorities and cases of transnational repression, including the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

While India has not issued a formal response to the report, the External Affairs Ministry has previously criticised such assessments from the US as being based on "misinformation and flawed understanding." Last year, the ministry dismissed the report as containing "motivated and biased commentary by some US officials."

Regarding the situation in Manipur, the report highlights that the ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 175 fatalities and displaced over 60,000 individuals. Ethnic violence between the majority Meiteis residing in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal community has been a significant source of concern since May last year.

"Activists and journalists reported armed conflict, rapes, and assaults in addition to the destruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship. The government deployed security forces, implemented daily curfews, and internet shutdowns in response to the violence," the report outlines.

Moreover, the report criticises the Indian government's response as being ineffective, with the Supreme Court also noting the failure to effectively address the escalating violence in Manipur.

In addition to addressing the situation in Manipur, the report raises concerns about a "worrying trend" of violence against journalists, unjustified arrests, and the use of criminal libel laws to stifle dissent.

The report also sheds light on the raids conducted at BBC offices by tax officials, mentioning that equipment was seized from journalists not involved in the organisation's financial operations. These actions followed the release of a documentary by the BBC titled "India: The Modi Question," which explored the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Furthermore, the report touches upon human rights abuses in regions affected by terrorism, such as Jammu and Kashmir, and areas impacted by the Maoist insurgency. It also references the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, indicating a potential pattern of extrajudicial actions by state agents.