UN experts urge India to free Indigenous rights defenders
UN human rights experts warn arrests of five activists opposing tourism project in northeastern India could intimidate Indigenous communities defending their land rights
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — United Nations human rights experts have called on India to release five Indigenous rights defenders arrested after protesting a luxury tourism project in the northeastern state of Assam, warning that their detention could discourage Indigenous communities from defending their land and environmental rights.
The experts said they were deeply concerned that the activists appeared to have been detained for peacefully advocating on behalf of Indigenous communities affected by a proposed tourism development near Kaziranga National Park.
According to the UN experts, Assam Police arrested Pranab Doley, Rajib Pegu, Brijit Kutum, Amit Nag and Bhaskar Saikia following protests on June 29 against plans to build a luxury tourism project in Inglay Pathar.
The project is reportedly linked to an agreement between the Assam government and Juniper Hotels and is associated with the Hyatt hotel group.
“We are deeply concerned by reports that Indigenous human rights defenders have been deprived of their liberty in connection with their peaceful advocacy on behalf of Indigenous communities’ lands and rights,” the experts said in a statement.
They warned that criminal prosecutions targeting peaceful activists can have a “chilling effect” on civil society by discouraging others from speaking out against alleged human rights abuses or environmental harms.
The experts also raised concerns over reports that the police unit involved in the arrests has previously faced allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
They urged Indian authorities to ensure the detained activists are treated with dignity and that their legal rights are fully protected while in custody.
The UN experts said the five should be released immediately if they are being detained solely for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
They also urged authorities to suspend land acquisition and construction related to the tourism project until Indigenous communities have been meaningfully consulted and their free, prior and informed consent has been obtained, in line with international human rights standards.
The statement also reminded businesses of their responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, saying companies involved in development projects should identify and prevent adverse impacts on Indigenous communities and ensure that people raising concerns are not subjected to reprisals.
The intervention adds to longstanding international scrutiny of India’s treatment of human rights defenders and environmental activists.
UN experts and international rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the criminalization of peaceful activism and shrinking civic space in the country, particularly in cases involving minority rights, environmental protests and large-scale development projects.
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