UN committee urges India to strengthen protection of vulnerable groups
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has called on India to strengthen protections for tribal peoples and members of socially disadvantaged castes. The committee said it was seriously concerned by reports of extrajudicial killings, torture and other violations allegedly suffered by ethnic and ethno-religious groups, indigenous and tribal peoples, Scheduled Tribes and Castes, including Dalits, as well as non-citizens of the country, Al Jazeera English reports.
Reports of violations
According to CERD, the alleged violations included racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence. The committee called on the Indian authorities to investigate all such allegations and hold those responsible accountable.
CERD also pointed to an increase in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum seekers. According to the committee, police stops and document checks reportedly based on racial profiling led to arbitrary arrests and detentions without due process, as well as torture and ill-treatment.
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Recommendations and India’s position
The experts expressed concern over deportations and forced returns of people in need of international protection. They called on India to urgently counter discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes against these groups, protect their rights and refrain from collective expulsions.
India underwent a CERD review earlier this month for the first time since 2007; the delegation was headed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. India’s representation said that during the review, the delegation emphasized the country’s pluralism and diversity, its constitutional and legal system, and protection mechanisms. CERD’s recommendations are not legally binding, but they carry reputational weight.
