In yet another blow, Indian government gets a strong snub from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Shares
ISLAMABAD - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in her address to the Human Rights Council's 43rd session expressed concern over the deadly violence that began in the Indian capital on February 23, highlighting in particular reports of police inaction in the face of attacks on Muslims, *The Wire link* reported on Thursday.
“I am concerned by reports of police inaction in the face of attacks against Muslims by other groups, as well as previous reports of excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters," she said in her address.
Last year at the 42nd session of the council in Geneva, Bachelet had expressed she was "deeply concerned link" after India initiated its clampdown in occupied Kashmir.
India's move to annex Jammu & Kashmir through revocation of the region's special status and imposition of a communications and travel lockdown was also strongly criticised by independent UN experts who termed the moves as "collective punishment" for the entire population.
On Thursday, Bachelet began mention of India in her address by referring to the prolonged detention of political leaders in occupied Kashmir, according to *The Wire.*
She also went on to talk about the contentious Citizenship Act that has polarised Indian society and has been attributed to the communal violence ensuing in New Delhi.
“In India more broadly, the Citizenship Amendment Act adopted last December is of great concern. Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed – in a mostly peaceful manner – their opposition to the Act, and support for the country’s long tradition of secularism," she was quoted as saying by *The Wire*
“This has now widened into broader inter-communal attacks, with 34 people killed since Sunday 23 February. I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence."
