MT Desk: The United Nations has expressed concern over reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists in India before and during large-scale protests in New Delhi.
UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan, in a statement issued on October 10, called on Indian authorities to fully respect and uphold the right to peaceful assembly.
He stressed that restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality, urging Indian law enforcement agencies to exercise the utmost restraint while dealing with peaceful demonstrators.
Al-Kheetan also called on the Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained. The UN spokesperson further urged the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the widely shared concerns expressed by the demonstrators.
The statement underscored the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms and ensuring that law enforcement measures comply with human rights obligations.
Hundreds of protesters were detained as security forces prevented a planned demonstration by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) from reaching Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The protest was called to demand electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of manipulation of voter lists.