UN watchdog flags abuses against Dalits and Muslims in India
UN experts raise concerns over extrajudicial killings, torture and violence against marginalized communities and urge India to tackle hate crimes targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A United Nations watchdog has raised serious concerns over killings, torture and other abuses by Indian law enforcement against Dalits, tribal communities and religious minorities, while calling for urgent action against discrimination and hate crimes targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims.
The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, or CERD, issued the findings on Aug. 25 following its first review of India in nearly two decades. India appeared before the committee earlier this month for the first time since 2007, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta leading its delegation.
The committee said it was “gravely concerned” by reports of large-scale violations by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and tribal peoples, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits.
Reported abuses included racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence.
Dalits occupy the lowest position in India’s traditional Hindu caste hierarchy and have historically faced widespread discrimination and violence. Although caste discrimination is prohibited under Indian law and affirmative-action protections exist for historically marginalized communities, rights groups continue to document caste-based violence and exclusion.
CERD called on Indian authorities to investigate allegations of abuses by law enforcement and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The U.N. experts separately raised concerns about increased law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya refugees, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum seekers.
The committee said police stops and identity checks involving racial profiling had reportedly resulted in arbitrary arrests and detention without due process, as well as torture and other mistreatment.
The warning comes amid growing controversy over drives in several Indian states to identify suspected undocumented immigrants, which rights groups say have disproportionately targeted Bengali-speaking Muslims and, in some cases, Indian citizens.
CERD urged India to “urgently address discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes” against the affected groups and ensure protection of their rights.
The committee also expressed concern over deportations and forced returns of people who may require international protection and called on India to refrain from collective expulsions.
It stressed the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits governments from returning refugees or asylum seekers to countries where they face serious threats to their lives, freedom or safety.
CERD is composed of independent experts responsible for monitoring countries’ compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The treaty, which entered into force in 1969 and has more than 180 state parties, requires governments to combat racial discrimination and segregation and guarantee equality before the law.
The findings place renewed international scrutiny on India’s treatment of marginalized communities, particularly amid concerns over discriminatory policing, anti-Muslim hate speech and the treatment of refugees and migrants.
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