Geneva, Ahead of India’s parliamentary elections, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has voiced concerns over restrictions on civic freedoms and the rise of hate speech and discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims. These remarks were made during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, highlighting the challenges facing the world’s largest democracy.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Turk addressed the increasing limitations on civic space within India, noting that human rights defenders, journalists, and those perceived as critics are being targeted. The concern over hate speech and discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims, was underscored against the backdrop of India’s forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, set to engage an electorate of 960 million people. While acknowledging the unprecedented scale of the elections, Turk stressed the importance of ensuring an open space for debate and meaningful participation in the electoral process.
Further emphasizing the issue, the Washington-based India Hate Lab reported a 62% increase in anti-Muslim hate speech in India during the second half of 2023, compared to the first six months of the year. These findings and the UN High Commissioner’s comments shed light on the pressing need to address hate speech and ensure the protection of minority rights in India as it approaches a significant electoral milestone.