The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over reports of mass detentions of protesters, civil society members, lawyers, and journalists in India ahead of and during demonstrations in Delhi on Saturday, October 10.
In a statement issued on Saturday, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan called on Indian authorities to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and ensure that restrictions on protests meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality.
“We are concerned by reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi,” Al-Kheetan said.
The spokesperson urged law enforcement agencies to exercise the utmost restraint when dealing with peaceful protesters, in accordance with India’s democratic traditions and its human rights obligations.
“All those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released,” the statement said.
The UN Human Rights Office also called on the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the concerns that prompted the demonstrations.
The statement came amid heightened security in Delhi on Saturday, as police detained protesters attempting to gather for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police denied permission for the planned demonstration, citing inadequate notice, non-compliance with prescribed guidelines, and concerns over public safety and law and order. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the capital, while restrictions were imposed at several locations.
Several journalists covering the demonstrations were also reportedly detained. Three Newslaundry were detained and their official phones seized before the journalists were subsequently released. Reporters from Scroll, Navbharat Times, Quint, and Malayalam news channel Reporter TV were also reported to have been detained.
Protests in solidarity with the Delhi demonstration were also reported in Mumbai, where actor Imran Khan and activist Tushar Gandhi were among those detained as police moved to prevent gatherings.
The UN statement called on Indian authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is respected and that any restrictions on protests comply with international human rights standards.