Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, posted on the social media site and has urged Indian authorities to reconsider and drop the cases against author Arundhati Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain, both of whom are facing prosecution for their comments on Kashmir.

The UN Human Rights Office made the following statement, “We are concerned by the use of #UAPA anti-terror law to silence critics. Repeat call for review of law & release of human rights defenders detained under it. Urge authorities to drop cases against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain over comments on Kashmir.”

#India: We are concerned by use of #UAPA anti-terror law to silence critics. Repeat call for review of law & release of human rights defenders detained under it. Urge authorities to drop cases against Arundhati Roy & Sheikh Showkat Hussain over comments on India-admin Kashmir

— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) June 27, 2024

Soon after the general assembly results came out, news arrived on June 14th that Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had granted the Delhi police to pursue action against Roy and Hussain in relation to a 2010 case. The two had reportedly made a speech that law enforcement has designated as ‘provocative’ in October 2010 under the banner of protest called ‘Azadi the only way.’

A Raj Niwas official reportedly told the Hindustan Times, “The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India.”

Other people who had also reportedly spoken at the event which dates fourteen years ago include the late Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, DU professor, SAR Geelani and activist Varavara Rao. A man named Sushil Pandit had filed an FIR against them at the time.

The prosecution has started last year in 2023 itself when Lieutenant Governor granted permission to prosecute those accused sections 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including 124-A (sedition), 153-A (enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language), 153-B (imputation, assertions, prejudicial to national integration), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505 (statements conducing of public mischief).

Roy has also been recently named the recipient of the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2024.  This win has come only a few weeks after Roy was sanctioned to be prosecuted by Indian authorities.

As per a report by the BBC, the chair of the English PEN awards, Ruth Borthwick spoke about Roy saying that she was important because she told “urgent stories of injustice with wit and beauty”. Borwick also stressed that Roy’s “powerful voice is not to be silenced.”

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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet voiced concerns about India’s farmers’ struggle and continuing communication restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir while speaking about recent human rights issues in more than 50 countries on February 26, 2021.

“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,” said Bachelet on Friday during the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Regarding sedition charges against journalists and activists and attempts to curb freedom of expression on social media, the High Commissioner said such actions violate essential human rights principles.

Similarly, the Council said they continue to monitor the situation in Kashmir, where restrictions on communications, clampdowns on civil society activists, remain of concern.

“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,” said Bachelet.

Further, she said the raids against human rights defenders in October and November 2020 exemplify continued restrictions impacting rights of Kashmir people to impart and receive information or engage in open debate on public policies.

In response, India’s Permanent Representative to the UNHRC in Geneva Indra Mani Pandey issued a written statement that said the High Commissioner “appeared as oblivious of the enormous efforts made by my Government to address the challenges, as indeed of many of the factors driving these challenges.” Pandey said that Bachelet was “unmoved” by the “unprovoked violence on Republic Day in the name of farmers’ rights.” Moreover, Pandey said that her oral update lacked objectivity and impartiality while her indifference to terrorism is “not new”.

Regarding the central government’s efforts for farmer benefits, he said the Centre has set a goal of doubling the income of farmers by 2024, and has shown utmost respect for farmers’ protests while continuing to engage in dialogues with peasant leaders. “The purpose of enacting three Farm Acts is to enable farmers to realise better prices for their produce and enhance their income. It will particularly benefit small farmers and offer more choices to those farmers who opt for them,” he said.

Regarding the issue of Kashmir, he said the constitutional changes in the status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 were a historic decision. “It has been welcomed by the people of India, including people of Jammu and Kashmir. It has given impetus to socio-economic development, end decades of discrimination and combat cross border terrorism, which has been the key hindrance in full enjoyment of human rights by the people,” he said claiming that there has been a significant decline in terrorist attacks and progressive national laws have been extended in the area.

Meanwhile, farmers organisation Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) continues its agitation against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. On Friday, youth leaders have stated that the three laws will serve as a death warrant for farmers if the laws are implemented.

The entire UN High Commissioner for Human Rights statement may be read here:

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Image: Reuters

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, has “deplored” India’s plan to deport Rohingyas “at a time of such violence against them in their own country.” He was equally “dismayed by a broader rise of intolerance towards religious and other minorities in India”. He was addressing the Human Rights Council on the opening day of its 36^th session on the human rights situation in 40 countries.

The current wave of violent, and often lethal, mob attacks against people under the pretext of protecting the lives of cows is alarming,” said al Hussein. “People who speak out for fundamental human rights are also threatened. Gauri Lankesh, a journalist who tirelessly addressed the corrosive effect of sectarianism and hatred, was assassinated last week. I have been heartened by the subsequent marches calling for protection of the right to freedom of expression, and by demonstrations in 12 cities to protest the lynchings”.

“Human rights defenders who work for the rights of India’s most vulnerable groups should be considered allies in building on India’s achievements to create a stronger and more inclusive society. Instead, many are subject to harassment and even criminal proceedings, or denied protection by the State” the High Commissioner.

Deploring the systematic attack on Rohingyas possibly amounting to crimes against humanity, the high commissioner said, “The Myanmar government should stop claiming that the Rohingyas are setting fire to their own homes and laying waste to their own villages. This complete denial of reality is doing great damage to the international standing of a government which, until recently, benefited from immense good will. I call on the government to end its current cruel military operation…”

The high commissioner expressed appreciation over the Bangladesh government’s “constructive engagement” with the office of the UN High Commissioner on Rohingyas who have sought refuge in Bangladesh.

On a more general note the high commissioner bemoaned the “hypocrisy” of States which “defend the rights of humans elsewhere… while at home they openly deny the rights of their own people?”

“Does it not occur to the many Governments who engage in intimidation and bullying, and commit reprisals against human rights defenders and NGOs which work with the UN human rights mechanisms – do they not realise that this only confirms to us, and to the world, how much oppression and injustice they exercise in their own countries? This is not a shared future; it is the theft of their peoples’ inalienable rights.”

The high commissioner urged the president and members states on the UN’s Human Rights Council “to develop a stronger, more unified voice in world affairs on behalf of human rights”.

“I also suggest consideration be given to the need to exclude from this body States involved in the most egregious violations of human rights,” he added.

Read the full text of the High Commissioner’s Opening Statement.
 

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