UN urges India to release arbitrarily detained protesters

The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern on October 10 over reports of mass detentions before and during demonstrations in Delhi.

Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the reports involved demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists.

He urged Indian authorities to uphold peaceful assembly. The office said restrictions must satisfy strict tests of necessity and proportionality, and police should exercise the greatest restraint.

It called for the immediate, unconditional release of everyone arbitrarily detained and meaningful dialogue over the concerns raised by protesters.

India’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva rejected the comments as unwarranted interference. It said the constitution guarantees assembly rights, subject to reasonable restrictions in the interests of public order.