World · Singapore Bureau
UN experts call for probe into India's protest crackdown tactics
United Nations human rights experts have urged Indian authorities to investigate their handling of recent demonstrations, citing concerns over the use of force and reported mistreatment of protesters.
LSN Singapore ·
UN experts issued a statement on Tuesday calling for an independent inquiry into the conduct of Indian law enforcement during a recent crackdown on protests, according to reports from Washington. The experts expressed concern that demonstrators sustained injuries during the operations and raised allegations that some protesters were subjected to ill-treatment.
The intervention by the United Nations panel reflects growing international scrutiny of protest management practices in India. The experts called specifically for Indian authorities to cease what they characterised as excessive use of force against demonstrators exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
The UN experts did not specify which particular protest events prompted their statement, though they emphasised the importance of respecting fundamental freedoms during law enforcement operations. They urged India to ensure that any investigation be conducted transparently and be independent from the authorities involved in the incidents.
India has long faced international criticism over crowd control methods, particularly in sensitive regions and during large-scale demonstrations. Civil society groups and international observers have documented various incidents involving police use of force, tear gas, and water cannons against protesters in recent years.