Geneva, United Nations human rights experts have raised concerns over the reported attacks on minorities, the media, and civil society in India, urging the country to take urgent corrective measures as it approaches its national elections in early 2024. The call to action emphasizes the need for India to adhere to its human rights obligations and reverse the trend of eroding human rights protections.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN experts highlighted an alarming trend of violence and discrimination against religious, racial, and ethnic minorities, women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. Incidents of hate crimes, dehumanizing rhetoric, targeted killings, violence by vigilante groups, and the misuse of official agencies against political opponents were among the issues raised.
The UN body expressed particular concern that the situation might deteriorate further in the months leading up to the elections, potentially impacting the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process. The experts also noted the Indian government’s low level of engagement with UN mechanisms, revealing that out of 78 communications sent over the past five years, only 18 received public replies. Additionally, there have been no UN Special Procedure country visits since 2017, despite India’s open invitation and multiple pending requests.
The experts called upon India to implement comprehensive measures to address these concerns and uphold its international human rights commitments. They also urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council to continue monitoring the situation and consider steps to prevent further human rights violations in India.
The statement underscores the critical need for a conducive atmosphere for free and fair elections in India, highlighting the importance of addressing and preventing violence and attacks against minorities and other human rights issues in the country.