Geneva, September 14 (newsin.asia): India on Tuesday strongly rebutted criticism by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad bi Hussein of its policies on cow vigilantism, Kashmir, a journalist’s murder and Rohingya refugees.
The Indian delegate Rajiv K.Chander said that Zeid’s criticisms were based on “selective and inaccurate” reports and stressed that like other nations, New Delhi too is concerned about illegal migrants and terrorist infiltration which could pose security challenges.
“Tendentious judgments made on the basis of selective and even inaccurate reports do not further the understanding of human rights in any society,” Chander said at the 36th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“We are perplexed at some of the observations made by the High Commissioner (for Human Rights) in his oral update. There appears to be inadequate appreciation of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and practiced daily in a vibrant democracy that has been built under challenging conditions,” Chander said in a statement.
“Like many other nations, India is concerned about illegal migrants, in particular, with the possibility that they could pose security challenges. Enforcing the laws should not be mistaken for lack of compassion,” the statement said in regard to the Rohingyas.
On Monday the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had criticized India for trying to deport Rohingyas to Myanmar where they are facing persecution.
Al Hussein had said: “The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Kiren Rijiju) has reportedly said that because India is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention, the country can dispense with international law on the matter, together with basic human compassion.”
The High Commissioner also mentioned cow vigilante killings and the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder and mob lynching incidents due to cow vigilantism.
Alluding to these India said: “It is also surprising that individual incidents are being extrapolated to suggest a broader societal situation. India is proud of its independent judiciary, freedom of press, vibrant civil society and respect for rule of law and human rights.”
“A more informed view would have not only recognized this ,but also noted, for example, that the Prime Minister himself publicly condemned violence in the name of cow protection. India does not condone any actions in violation of law and imputations to the contrary are not justified,” Chander said.
“We have also noted that the issue of human rights situations in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir has been raised. It is a matter of regret that the central role of terrorism is once again being overlooked. Assessments of human rights should not be a matter of political convenience,” Chander added.
(The featured image at the top India’s Representative at the UN in Geneva, Rajiv K.Chander)
