New Delhi: India has dismissed the UN human rights chief’s concerns about democratic backsliding, especially in Kashmir and Manipur, as “unfounded and baseless” and not in line with “ground realities”.
At the 58th session of the UN human rights council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk delivered his update on the human rights situation around the globe.
In his grim assessment which stretched from United States to China, he also mentioned the situation in India, with special focus on Kashmir.
“India’s democracy and institutions have been its greatest strength, underpinning its diversity and development. Democracy requires constant nurturing of participation and inclusion at all levels of society. I am concerned by the use of restrictive laws and harassment against human rights defenders and independent journalists resulting in arbitrary detention and a diminished civic space, including in Kashmir,” Turk said on March 3.
He also called “for stepped-up efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur, based on dialogue, peace-building and human rights”.
‘Needs a genuine update’: India
India’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi countered that the “unfounded and baseless comments in the Update contrast jarringly with ground realities.” He maintained that “the people of India have repeatedly proven wrong such misplaced concerns about us.”
“We urge a better understanding of India and our civilisational ethos of diversity and openness, which continue to define our robust and often cacophonous civic space,” he added.
Bagchi argued that nothing highlighted the disconnect more than the passing reference to Jammu and Kashmir, which he noted was “erroneously referred to as Kashmir.” He pointed out that 2024 had been a year of holding assembly elections in the Union territory, citing high voter turnout, “booming tourism, or the rapid development pace”.
The senior Indian diplomat went on the “that nothing illustrates this divergence more than the passing reference to Jammu and Kashmir, erroneously referred to as Kashmir, ironically in a year that stood out for that region’s improving peace and inclusive progress, be it the large-turnout provincial elections, the booming tourism, or the rapid development pace”.
“Clearly, the Global Update needs a genuine update!” he added.
Bagchi also criticised Türk’s statement for “oversimplifying complex issues, making sweeping and generalised remarks, using loose terminology, and cherry-picking situations.”
In his remarks, Türk had observed that the “solution to today’s pervasive unease lies in more respect for human rights, not less”.
Referencing the phrase, Bagchi said, “The High Commissioner has sensed a pervasive unease, but we would submit that a key element to addressing this is a long and hard look in the mirror by the Office of the High Commissioner”.
