UN rights office raises concern over Delhi detentions, India calls it unwarranted interference
The UN Human Rights Office on Saturday, October 10, expressed concern over mass detentions in Delhi before and during the protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. India rejected the remarks, calling them misplaced.
What the UN said
Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the office was concerned by reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists. He said these took place before and during the large-scale demonstrations in Delhi.
He called on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled. He said restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality. He urged law enforcement to exercise utmost restraint, in line with India’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations.
The statement said all those arbitrarily detained must be released immediately and unconditionally. It also urged the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue on the broadly held concerns that had been expressed.
How India responded
India’s mission at the UN in Geneva responded in a post on X. It said it had seen the OHCHR’s remarks on the day’s events in New Delhi. The mission said the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution. It said the right is safeguarded by institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media.
The mission said citizens exercise this right subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, as in every democracy. It added that authorities act in accordance with the law and that courts remain available to all for redressal of grievances.
It said the OHCHR’s concerns were misplaced and amounted to an unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs. It also said the office should give comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere, in line with its mandate of impartiality and non-selectivity.
According to reports, about 7,000 people were detained. The final number remains unclear. Delhi Police have not publicly commented on the detentions.
The protest was called by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar. Police had denied permission and imposed prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district. Metro stations were closed and mobile internet was suspended in parts of central Delhi.
