On March 7, 2024, the international community was confronted with a sobering reality as UN human rights experts raised the alarm about the escalating violence against minorities, media, and civil society in India. This troubling development serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for concerted action to address the flagrant violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in the world’s largest democracy. As we grapple with the ramifications of these dire circumstances, it becomes imperative to delve deeper into the root causes and explore avenues for meaningful change.
The UN special experts, operating under the auspices of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, represent the vanguard of independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms within the UN human rights system. Their recent expressions of deep concern regarding the targeted attacks on religious, racial, and ethnic minorities in India underscore the gravity of the situation. Civil society, including human rights defenders and the media, finds itself besieged, confronting relentless persecution and harassment in the pursuit of truth and justice.
Of particular concern is the anticipated escalation of violence in the........