Geneva-based UN-related body to review India’s human rights accreditation status this week
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Geneva-based UN-related body to review India’s human rights accreditation status this week

The Hindu  

The National Human Rights Commission is preparing to defend the government’s human rights processes at a meeting in Geneva this week, where a decision on whether India’s human rights body will retain its “A status” is expected to be made. When asked about Wednesday’s meeting, the sources said although the government is confident of having its A status restored, it was not focused on “external certifications” of India’s human rights record. In a letter to GANHRI dated March 26, 2024, nine human rights groups, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and CIVICUS wrote a joint letter to the international grouping raising concerns about “increasing restrictions” on civil society and “discrimination against minorities ahead of the country’s General Elections”. Last week, the MEA had also reacted sharply to the U.S. State department’s latest global report that spoke of “significant” human rights concerns in India, calling the report “biased” and reflecting a “poor understanding of India”.

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History of this topic

Aakar Patel | India, as a UNSC aspirant, should not ignore UN on human rights
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Aakar Patel | India, as a UNSC aspirant, should not ignore UN on human rights

Deccan Chronicle  

The United Nations Security Council has 15 members — five permanent and 10 elected. India has been a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 16 of the council’s 18 years — most recently from 2019 to 2024. India has been the subject of 25 critical statements from UN human rights experts and UHCHR since 2019 — during its …

India rejects UN top human rights official’s comments on foreign influence laws
6 months ago

India rejects UN top human rights official’s comments on foreign influence laws

India TV News  

India has rejected comments by the United Nations’ top human rights official on foreign influence laws, stating that principles of “transparency and accountability cannot be applied selectively”. India’s Permanent Representative of India to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, said that he “humbly disagrees” with reference to India made by UN High Commissioner for Human …

Why NHRC’s international accreditation is under review | Explained
7 months ago

Why NHRC’s international accreditation is under review | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: How free and fair is India’s National Human Rights Commission? Per the Paris Principles, the NHRIs should have “broad constitutional and/or legislative mandates that cover all human rights; independence; an array of express human rights promotion and protection responsibilities; a pluralist representation; adequate funding; and responsibilities to cooperate, consult and interact with UN bodies, regional organizations, …

Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral
7 months, 1 week ago

Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral

The Hindu  

The National Human Rights Commission of India was formally informed late last week that the deferral of its status would continue for a year more. While the SCA did not agree with the plea of some leading international non-governmental organisations, to put the NHRC in category ‘B’, it also rejected India’s request to lift the deferral. In its introduction the …

UN-linked body defers NHRC-India accreditation for second year in a row
7 months, 1 week ago

UN-linked body defers NHRC-India accreditation for second year in a row

The Hindu  

In a setback for India’s human rights record, the Geneva-based, United Nations-linked Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India for the second year in a row. While the committee’s latest report is still awaited, its previous report had cited a number of reasons for recommending the deferral, including the lack of …

Largest democracy India’s NHRC should be a flagbearer for human rights. Is it?
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Largest democracy India’s NHRC should be a flagbearer for human rights. Is it?

Hindustan Times  

National human rights institutions worldwide have evolved as key actors in promoting and protecting human rights. India’s national human rights institution Until the late 1990s, India lacked an instrumental mechanism for safeguarding human rights. Arguably, a face-saving gesture against concerns donor countries’ apprehensions regarding human rights abuses in various regions of the country during the economic crisis of 1990. The …

'Deeply biased, poor understanding': India slams US report on human rights abuses
7 months, 4 weeks ago

'Deeply biased, poor understanding': India slams US report on human rights abuses

India TV News  

New Delhi: India on Thursday sharply criticised a United States report on human rights abuses in India, saying it reflects a "deeply biased and poor understanding" of the country. The 2023 Human Rights Report by the US State Department mentioned "credible reports" of various human rights abuses in India, including the Manipur ethnic violence and "transnational repression" like the murder …

NGOs condemn NHRC, call it ‘silent spectator’ to human rights violations
1 year, 3 months ago

NGOs condemn NHRC, call it ‘silent spectator’ to human rights violations

The Hindu  

Hosting the 28th bi-annual APF conference at New Delhi on September 20-21 will give the NHRC a fig leaf of international legitimacy to cover up its dismal performance, the civil society groups said Members of Indian civil society condemn the Asia Pacific Forum for acceding to the National Human Rights Commission of India request to host 28th Biannual Conference in …

In a first, UN rights chief seeks presence in India and China
1 year, 6 months ago

In a first, UN rights chief seeks presence in India and China

Al Jazeera  

Volker Turk, who took over as UN body’s high commissioner late last year, calls for greater political support to establish office in India and China. The United Nations human rights chief has called for greater support for his office as he seeks to expand its work by establishing a first-time presence in the world’s two most populous countries, India and …

US slams India on human rights practices in its annual report
1 year, 9 months ago

US slams India on human rights practices in its annual report

Hindustan Times  

In an annual report on human rights practices in India, the United States State Department has highlighted challenges to freedom of expression, cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, the confiscation and destruction of property without due process, discrimination against minority groups and infringement on the freedom of association, among other issues, in 2022. US slams India on human …

U.S. says it will continue to ‘strongly urge India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments’
1 year, 9 months ago

U.S. says it will continue to ‘strongly urge India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments’

The Hindu  

The United States has and will continue to strongly urge India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments, the Biden Administration said on March 20, 2023 as it released the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The report claimed that last year India experienced significant human rights violations including alleged unlawful and arbitrary killings, challenges to freedom of …

US points at restrictions on freedom of expression in India
1 year, 9 months ago

US points at restrictions on freedom of expression in India

Live Mint  

The United States has urged India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments, according to the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the Biden Administration on March 20. The report cited significant human rights violations in India including alleged unlawful and arbitrary killings, challenges to freedom of press, interference with privacy, and violence targeting religious and …

India intensified crackdown on activists, media in 2022: Human Rights Watch report
1 year, 11 months ago

India intensified crackdown on activists, media in 2022: Human Rights Watch report

The Hindu  

The Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2023 said that Indian authorities had “intensified and broadened” their crackdown on activist groups and the media through 2022, adding that the “Hindu nationalist” Bharatiya Janata Party-led government used “abusive and discriminatory policies to repress Muslims and other minorities”. “The BJP government’s promotion of Hindu majoritarian ideology provokes authorities and supporters to engage in …

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to lead Indian delegation at Human Rights Council
2 years, 1 month ago

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to lead Indian delegation at Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will lead the official Indian delegation to the Human Rights Council where the Fourth Universal Periodic Review will take place on November 10, the Ministry of External Affairs has announced. An official press release stated, India has been “engaged constructively” with the members of the UNHRC and others in the United Nations to support human rights …

U.S., Belgium to question India on CAA, minority rights, hate speech at U.N. Human Rights Council
2 years, 1 month ago

U.S., Belgium to question India on CAA, minority rights, hate speech at U.N. Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

Treatment of journalists and human rights defenders, Citizenship Amendment Act, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and custodial torture are expected to dominate the Universal Periodic Review of India at the Human Rights Council in Geneva that will take place on Thursday. In “Advance Questions” submitted to the Council, Belgium has called the Citizenship Amendment Act “anti-minority” and asked India if the …

Kamal Davar | Time to be firm tackling Dragon on LAC standoff & human rights
2 years, 2 months ago

Kamal Davar | Time to be firm tackling Dragon on LAC standoff & human rights

Deccan Chronicle  

The last couple of years, in particular, has seen the world torn apart by both the Covid-19 catastrophe and the emergence of a new Cold War. Given China’s consistent aggressive stance towards India, many analysts were flabbergasted at India’s abstention at last week’s vote on a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning Beijing for colossal human rights violations in Xinjiang …

all is not well with the indian economy | the view from india
2 years, 2 months ago

all is not well with the indian economy | the view from india

The Hindu  

The World Bank has revised its estimation of growth in the Indian economy from its initial expectation of 8.7% this year to a gloomier outlook of just 6.5%, citing the worsening external environment. India, China, and human rights at UN forums After the recent vote on Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council that we looked at in last week’s …

China silent on India's abstention at UNHRC vote, says crackdown in Xinjiang aimed at countering terrorism
2 years, 2 months ago

China silent on India's abstention at UNHRC vote, says crackdown in Xinjiang aimed at countering terrorism

Firstpost  

China’s comments came after India abstained from voting on the Xinjiang issue at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday and a day after New Delhi for the first time called for respecting and guaranteeing the rights of people of the autonomous region Beijing: China on Saturday maintained silence on India’s abstention at the voting at the …

Xinjiang not a human rights issue, says Beijing
2 years, 2 months ago

Xinjiang not a human rights issue, says Beijing

The Hindu  

China on Saturday defended its policies in Xinjiang and said issues there were “not related to human rights”, a day after India called for the human rights of the people of the region to be “respected and guaranteed”. Explaining why New Delhi abstained on the vote, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday cited India’s long-held view that “country-specific resolutions …

Human rights of people of Xinjiang should be respected and guaranteed: India
2 years, 2 months ago

Human rights of people of Xinjiang should be respected and guaranteed: India

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW DELHI: India on Friday said rights of people in China's Xinjiang region should be "respected and guaranteed" but noted that its decision to abstain from a resolution on the concerns at the UN human rights commission was in line with the practice of not voting on country-specific resolutions. It is for the first time that India clearly called for …

MEA explains why India abstained at UNHRC from voting on draft resolution against China
2 years, 2 months ago

MEA explains why India abstained at UNHRC from voting on draft resolution against China

Firstpost  

India on Thursday abstained from voting against China on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council on holding a debate on the human rights situation in the country’s volatile north-western Xinjiang province New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday reiterated that India remains committed to all basic human rights and stressed that country-specific resolutions were never …

India Abstains from Voting in UNHRC Proposal Calling for Discussion on China’s Treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
2 years, 2 months ago

India Abstains from Voting in UNHRC Proposal Calling for Discussion on China’s Treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang

News 18  

India on Thursday abstained from voting in the UN Human Rights Commission proposal by Western nations who sought a debate on the alleged mistreatment of Uyghurs minorities in China’s Xinjiang region. Observers say the rejection was a setback to accountability efforts, challenging the credibility of the UN as well the West’s moral authority on human rights. India’s abstinence is in …

Treatment of Uyghur Muslims: India among 11 nations to abstain on vote against China at UNHRC
2 years, 2 months ago

Treatment of Uyghur Muslims: India among 11 nations to abstain on vote against China at UNHRC

India Today  

India on Thursday abstained from voting on a draft resolution at the 51st Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council on holding a debate on the human rights situation in China’s Xinjiang region. A tweet by the UN Human Rights Council read, "Draft resolution A/HRC/51/L.6 on holding a debate on the situation of human rights in the Xinjiang Uyghur …

India abstains on UNHRC draft resolution on promoting human rights in Sri Lanka
2 years, 2 months ago

India abstains on UNHRC draft resolution on promoting human rights in Sri Lanka

Deccan Chronicle  

GENEVA: India on Thursday abstained on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka which was adopted. The draft resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka' was adopted at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, with 20 nations voting in …

India abstains from voting on draft resolution in UNHRC on human rights situation in China’s Xinjiang: Sources
2 years, 2 months ago

India abstains from voting on draft resolution in UNHRC on human rights situation in China’s Xinjiang: Sources

India TV News  

India on Thursday abstained from voting on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council on holding a debate on the human rights situation in China’s Xinjiang province, sources said. The draft resolution on “holding a debate on the situation of human rights in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China” was rejected in the 47-member Council after 17 …

Aakar Patel | A benign mask for whole world; fangs bared to citizens at home
2 years, 5 months ago

Aakar Patel | A benign mask for whole world; fangs bared to citizens at home

Deccan Chronicle  

Having been kept busy by the government in various matters, I have not had the chance to catch up with the news much in the last couple of weeks. The first is that India and the European Union refer to themselves as “open and democratic societies”, which “emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights”. After this, …

India, EU reiterate mutual commitment to universal human rights
2 years, 5 months ago

India, EU reiterate mutual commitment to universal human rights

The Hindu  

India on Friday joined the European Union to “recognise” the “important role” of national human rights institutions, civil society actors and journalists as the two sides exchanged “concerns” over freedom of expression and “opinion online and offline”. The two sides held the 10th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue in New Delhi and reiterated mutual commitment to the universal human rights and …

Aakar Patel | India likely to stay on US list of ‘concern’ on human rights
2 years, 8 months ago

Aakar Patel | India likely to stay on US list of ‘concern’ on human rights

Deccan Chronicle  

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, is an independent and bipartisan US federal government agency. The USCIRF recommended that the US government “impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ assets and/or barring their entry into the United States under human rights-related financial and …

UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote
2 years, 8 months ago

UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote

The Hindu  

Russia’s membership to the Human Rights Council, to which it was elected in 2020, was suspended on Thursday after the United Nations General Assembly voted, 93 to 24, with 58 abstentions, including India, to adopt a resolution suspending Moscow from the UN body. And it is for an immediate end to violence,” Mr. Tirumurti said, calling for diplomacy and reiterating …

India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council with ‘overwhelming endorsement’
3 years, 2 months ago

India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council with ‘overwhelming endorsement’

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: India was on Thursday elected for a sixth term at the United Nations Human Rights Council and will now be among the body’s 47 members for the next three years. India was among five countries elected to the UN Human Rights Council from the group of Asia-Pacific states, the others being Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar and the United Arab …

India defends decision to abstain during UNHRC vote on Israel-Hamas conflict
3 years, 6 months ago

India defends decision to abstain during UNHRC vote on Israel-Hamas conflict

Hindustan Times  

India on Thursday defended its abstention in a vote at the UN Human Rights Council that led to the setting up of an inquiry into rights violations during the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying it had also acted in a similar manner in the past. Malki’s letter had stated that India’s abstention during the vote on May 27 “stifles the important work …

India abstains from voting on UNHRC resolution to probe alleged crimes during Gaza conflict
3 years, 6 months ago

India abstains from voting on UNHRC resolution to probe alleged crimes during Gaza conflict

India Today  

India was among 14 countries that abstained from voting on a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council to launch an investigation into alleged violations and crimes during the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. "The Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted a resolution on ensuring respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the …

Akhand Bharat: The RSS' imperial pretensions
3 years, 8 months ago

Akhand Bharat: The RSS' imperial pretensions

The Hindu  

Very shortly after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, he cancelled a meeting of Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan for no other reason than that Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit had, as over the years in the past, invited Kashmir’s Hurriyat leaders to the High Commission office in New Delhi. A report by Anisha Dutta in Hindustan Times …

UN rights panel slams detention of Safoora Zargar
3 years, 9 months ago

UN rights panel slams detention of Safoora Zargar

The Hindu  

Taking note of the detention of Jamia Millia Islamia University student Safoora Zargar, who was pregnant when Delhi police arrested her in April 2020 over the Citizenship law protests and the Delhi riots, the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group against Arbitrary Detentions has adopted an opinion critical of the government’s workings, and referred the case to three Special …

UN rights chief tells India to safeguard rights of NGOs; MEA says law violations can't be condoned
4 years, 2 months ago

UN rights chief tells India to safeguard rights of NGOs; MEA says law violations can't be condoned

Firstpost  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet specifically cited as “worrying” the use of FCRA, which prohibits the receipt of foreign funds “for any activities prejudicial to the public interest.” New Delhi: India on Tuesday strongly reacted to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s concern over restrictions on NGOs and arrest of activists, saying violations of law …

UN Rights Chief Expresses Concern Over Restrictions on NGOs, Arrest of Activists in India
4 years, 2 months ago

UN Rights Chief Expresses Concern Over Restrictions on NGOs, Arrest of Activists in India

News 18  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday expressed concern over the restrictions on foreign funding for non-governmental organisations in India and the arrest of activists in the country. "India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally," she said in a statement. …

Amnesty International | On the front lines of rights and rows
4 years, 2 months ago

Amnesty International | On the front lines of rights and rows

The Hindu  

Just past 10am on September 29, a notice went up on global human rights agency Amnesty International’s India webpage. While Amnesty’s notice said the actions by the government were part of an “incessant witch-hunt” that had failed to produce evidence of wrong-doing, the government said it had a long list of charges pertaining to the funding of the group and …

15 International Human Rights Organisations Release Statement Condemning Indian Government's Actions Against Amnesty India
4 years, 2 months ago

15 International Human Rights Organisations Release Statement Condemning Indian Government's Actions Against Amnesty India

Live Law  

A joint statement by 15 International organizations including Human Rights Watch has been released, condemning the Forced closure of Amnesty India. "Amnesty International India announced that it is halting its work in the country after the Indian government froze its bank accounts in an act of reprisal for the organization's human rights work. Fifteen international human rights organizations condemned the …

India must speak up for human rights at UNSC | Analysis
4 years, 4 months ago

India must speak up for human rights at UNSC | Analysis

Hindustan Times  

When India joins the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member in January 2021, it will confront a range of issues. When it joins the UNSC, it will have a choice: Align with rights-respecting countries or make common cause with countries such as China, Russia and Brazil that are trying to tear down the global rules-based legal system that …

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