UN experts call on India to end violence, hate crimes against minorities
As India approaches national elections, UN experts demand an immediate end to attacks on minorities, expressing deep concern over escalating violence and discrimination.
Over 20 UN experts have collectively issued a statement urging India to “halt assaults against minority groups” ahead of anticipated national elections set to commence in April.
Expressing deep concern, the experts highlighted ongoing reports of assaults targeting religious, racial, and ethnic minorities, as well as women, girls, civil society, including human rights defenders, and the media. They emphasized that the situation is likely to exacerbate as the polls draw nearer in India, the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion inhabitants.
The experts, comprising special rapporteurs and members of UN working groups, reported a spectrum of issues, including violence and hate crimes against minorities, incitement to discrimination and violence, targeted and arbitrary killings, and the misuse of official agencies against perceived political opponents.
Calling on India to fully honor its human rights commitments, the experts urged the nation to reverse the erosion of human rights and address recurrent concerns raised by UN human rights mechanisms. They expressed particular dismay over the absence of country visits by UN experts since 2017, with 15 unaddressed requests pending, noting the critical need for a conducive environment for free and fair elections.
Signatories to the statement included special rapporteurs on minority issues, freedom of religion, expression, peaceful assembly, human rights defenders, violence against women, contemporary racism, and degrading treatment.
It is important to note that UN experts operate under the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council but maintain independence and do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, India has witnessed multiple instances of violence between the Hindu majority and its 200-million-strong Muslim minority. Critics have accused the Indian government of leveraging the justice system to target political adversaries, with several opposition figures currently under active criminal investigation.