UN criticizes Delhi detentions as India defends restrictions

The United Nations Human Rights Office criticized reports of mass detentions during Saturday’s protests in Delhi, while India rejected the concerns and defended restrictions as lawful measures to protect public order. The demonstrations sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over revisions to voter rolls, but police restrictions prevented many protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. The UN office said it was concerned by reports that demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists had been detained before and during the gathering. It urged authorities to respect peaceful assembly, exercise restraint, engage in dialogue and release anyone arbitrarily detained. It also said restrictions on peaceful protests should meet tests of necessity and proportionality. India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva called the concerns misplaced and an unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs. It said peaceful assembly is constitutionally protected but subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, and that courts are available to address grievances.