Stories
UN Raises Concern Over Mass Detentions During Delhi Protests
- •The United Nations Human Rights office expressed deep concern over reports of mass detentions involving demonstrators, protest leaders, lawyers, and journalists in Delhi.
- •UN spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan called on Indian authorities to fully respect and fulfill the right to peaceful assembly.
- •The UN urged law enforcement agencies to exercise utmost restraint and ensure any restrictions meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality.
- •Authorities were called upon to immediately and unconditionally release anyone arbitrarily detained and to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Key Questions Answered
The protests in Delhi were organized to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities and voter-list manipulation during the electoral roll revision. Police detained more than 3,000 people across the city, prompting the United Nations Human Rights office to express deep concern and urge the immediate release of those arbitrarily held.
Several opposition leaders and former chief ministers, including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Manik Sarkar, were among those detained by law enforcement while attempting to join the demonstrations in New Delhi.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk described the situation as an undeclared emergency and warned that he would consider launching a peaceful protest, such as a hunger strike or a march in Leh or Delhi, if all detained individuals were not released within 24 hours.
