New Delhi: India on Sunday trashed the UN human rights agency’s remarks voicing concerns over detention of thousands of protesters in Delhi, describing them as “unwarranted” and an “unacceptable interference” in the country’s internal affairs.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva on Saturday called on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled.
“The OHCHR’s concerns are therefore unwarranted and constitute an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of India,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
An identical statement was issued last night by the Permanent Mission of India at the UN in Geneva.
Over 7,000 demonstrators were detained in New Delhi on Saturday as authorities cordoned off the capital to thwart a protest calling for the chief election commissioner’s resignation.
“We also note that the OHCHR has an approach of extreme selectivity when it comes to public positions. Violent responses to protests in our neighbourhood have gone uncommented, as indeed have law enforcement actions in its own vicinity,” the MEA said.
“Such double standards only erode the credibility of its standing and contribute to the loss of faith in multilateralism,” it added.
The MEA said India is the “world’s largest democracy, where the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by our Constitution and safeguarded by robust institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media”.
“As in every democracy, Indian citizens exercise this right subject to the maintenance of public order and safety.
“Our law enforcement authorities act strictly in accordance with the law, and our courts remain available to all for the redressal of any grievances,” the MEA said in a statement.
