London: During the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s review of India’s adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, PEN International voiced significant concerns over the suppression of freedom of expression in India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the global writers’ association highlighted the Indian government’s increasing use of legal measures to stifle dissent, including arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions without trial. The report specifically pointed to the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to target critics, citing the ongoing detentions of figures such as professor Hany Babu and poet Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon/Elgar Parishad case.
Furthermore, PEN International criticized recent raids on NewsClick and frequent internet shutdowns, particularly in regions like Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as part of efforts to curb dissenting voices. Despite these issues being raised during the review, the Indian delegation reportedly did not adequately address the concerns.