UN experts urge India to stop excessive force at protests and investigate crackdown
The experts called for an independent investigation into Indian authorities’ conduct as protests continue over a disputed revision of voter lists.
UN experts called on Indian authorities on October 20 to stop what they described as excessive force against protesters and independently investigate a recent crackdown. Demonstrators had been injured and some reported ill-treatment, the experts said, according to Reuters. Their appeal adds international scrutiny to protests over India’s revision of voter lists.
In a statement reported by Reuters, the experts said law enforcement had reportedly used batons against unarmed students and prevented thousands of people from joining protests. They urged the authorities to end blanket bans on assemblies, misuse of digital surveillance, including biometrics, and internet disruptions. The reported conduct remains an allegation by the experts; their statement did not establish how many people were injured.
Why the voter-list revision sparked protests
Opposition parties and student organisations have protested this month and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They say the voter-list revision favours Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. Protesting groups say 130 million names were removed and that eligible voters were disenfranchised, particularly poor and homeless people and ethnic minorities, including Muslims. The BJP and Election Commission deny that account.
The Election Commission says it removed duplicate entries and the names of people who had died, moved or were otherwise ineligible. It says anyone excluded in error can appeal. That explanation is central to the dispute: protesters challenge the effect of the removals, while the commission says the revision was intended to correct the lists.
Deutsche Welle reported that protests took place in New Delhi on October 10 amid a lockdown. An activist described barricades and state violence to the outlet. That account describes protest activity before the experts’ appeal; it does not establish the specific incidents alleged in their statement.
Calls for an investigation into protest policing
Reuters reported that the UN human rights office had expressed concern earlier in October about mass detentions connected with the protests. The experts’ new call seeks an independent examination of the authorities’ conduct. UN experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council to monitor rights issues but act independently of the UN itself.
India’s embassy in Washington had not immediately responded to Reuters’ request for comment on the experts’ statement. India has previously dismissed such criticism as interference in its internal affairs. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also condemned the protest crackdown, Reuters reported.
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Sources and context
- UN experts urge Indian authorities to cease 'use of excessive force' to curb protestsThe Straits Times (Reuters)
- Who are the women powering India's youth-led 'Cockroach' protests?Deutsche Welle
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.