LM NEWS 24
LM NEWS 24

UN Ticks Off India On Farmers And Sedition Charges

In an embarrassing reference to contraction of civic space and farmers protests in India, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights deplored the recent move by law enforcement agencies in the country to slap sedition charges against journalists and activists to silence dissent.

In her address to the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, UN official Michelle Bachelet raised the ongoing peaceful protests by Indian farmers to emphasise the need for participation of the concerned sections in framing of laws and policies that impacted their lives. She also hoped for “an equitable solution” to the crisis.

“In India, continued protests by hundreds of thousands of farmers highlight the importance of ensuring laws and policies are based on meaningful consultations with those concerned. I trust that ongoing dialogue efforts by both sides will lead to an equitable solution to this crisis that respects the rights of all,” Bachelet said.

Highlighting the high-handed approach of law enforcement agencies, the UN High Commissioner said, “Charges of sedition against journalists and activists for reporting or commenting on the protests, and attempts to curb freedom of expression on social media, are disturbing departures from essential human rights principles.”

The UN official also said the the situation in Kashmir was also under its watch. “Despite recent restoration of 4G access for mobile phones, the communications blockade has seriously hampered civic participation, as well as business, livelihoods, education, and access to health-care and medical information,” she said.

In the same vein, she also stressed that the conditions of citizens in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir was not any better. “The access to Internet (in PoK) also remains a serious problem, prompting student protests in the past year.”

The UNHCR also raised red flags on the “unequal status of women” in Pakistan where “denial of their rights, from education to the right to make decisions about their own lives” was widespread.

She expressed concern at the prevalence of child marriage and forced marriage, as well as so-called “honour” based crimes in Pakistan. “Women from religious minority communities are particularly vulnerable to forced marriage accompanied by forced conversion. I urge Pakistan to support and protect women human rights defenders and journalists who are at the forefront of efforts to promote legal and societal change,” she said.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By agreeing you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.

Privacy Settings saved!
Privacy Settings

When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Control your personal Cookie Services here.

These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features. Without these cookies basic services cannot be provided.

Cookie generated by applications based on the PHP language. This is a general purpose identifier used to maintain user session variables. It is normally a random generated number, how it is used can be specific to the site, but a good example is maintaining a logged-in status for a user between pages.
  • PHPSESSID

Used on sites built with Wordpress. Tests whether or not the browser has cookies enabled
  • wordpress_test_cookie

In order to use this website we use the following technically required cookies
  • wordpress_test_cookie
  • wordpress_logged_in_
  • wordpress_sec

Decline all Services
Accept all Services
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x