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United Nations human rights experts have called for an independent investigation into Indian authorities’ handling of recent protests. They said demonstrators suffered injuries and some reported ill-treatment during the crackdown.
Opposition parties and student organisations have staged protests in recent weeks. They are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a revision of voter lists. The groups allege that the process favours Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a statement, two dozen independent UN experts said authorities had used force against unarmed students despite the protests’ reported non-violent nature.
“Despite the non-violent nature of the assemblies, law enforcement agencies have reportedly deployed force against unarmed students, including lathi charges, and have prevented thousands from joining the protests,” they said.
Lathi charges involve police using batons to disperse crowds.
The experts called on Indian authorities to stop using excessive force and lift broad restrictions on public assemblies.
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“We call on the authorities to immediately cease the use of excessive force, rescind blanket assembly bans, and refrain from the misuse of digital surveillance, including through biometrics, and internet disruptions,” they said.
The latest demonstrations follow other student-led protests in India. Earlier unrest over alleged exam-paper leaks drew widespread attention and led to the education minister’s resignation.
India has rejected criticism of its handling of protests in the past, describing such concerns as interference in its internal affairs. Earlier this month, the UN human rights office also raised concerns about mass detentions linked to the latest demonstrations.
The Indian government said this month that law enforcement agencies had acted “strictly in accordance with the law.” The Indian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
Protest groups say the removal of 130 million names from voter lists has deprived eligible citizens of their voting rights. They argue that the changes have particularly affected poor and homeless people, as well as ethnic minorities, including Muslims.
The groups also allege that the changes could benefit the BJP, which leads the government under Modi.
The BJP and India’s Election Commission reject those allegations. The commission says it is removing duplicate, deceased, relocated and otherwise ineligible voters. It also says people excluded by mistake can appeal the decision.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also criticised the crackdown.
UN special procedure experts receive mandates from the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and document specific human rights issues. Although they work within the UN human rights system, they operate independently of the organisation.
Their call adds to international scrutiny of India’s response to protests over electoral changes and the treatment of demonstrators.
[…] UN Experts Call for Independent Probe into India’s Protest Crackdown […]