UN human rights chief warns India over harassment of Muslims

NEW YORK (92 News) – UN High Commissioner for Human rights Michelle Bachele says Indian divisive political agenda has extensively marginalized Muslims and other minorities in the country. In her annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, she said they have received reports about increasing harassment and targeting of minorities. “We are receiving reports that indicate increasing harassment and targeting of minorities – in particular Muslims and people from historically disadvantaged and marginalized groups, such as Dalits and Adivasis,” Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human rights said in her annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

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The high commissioner expressed concern that the demands of citizens protesting against inequality are being met by violent and excessive use of force. She also criticized Israel over its blockade of Gaza, and said imposing economic hardship on Palestinians does not make Israelis safer. “In India, where there has also been significant poverty reduction in overall terms, inequality remains a serious issue,” she said. In addition, we are receiving reports that indicate increasing harassment and targeting of minorities – in particular Muslims and people from historically disadvantaged and marginalized groups, such as Dalits and Adivasis. It appears that narrow political agendas are driving the further marginalization of vulnerable people. “I fear that these divisive policies will not only harm many individuals, but also undermine the success of India's economic growth story,” she added. In her remarks, the UN human rights chief focused on the threat posed by growing global inequality over income, wealth and access to resources and justice. “In recent months we have seen people across the world take to the streets to protest,” Bachelet said, referring to a recent wave of protests in Sudan, as well as protests in Haiti and France. She also warned of the existential threat of hate speech and xenophobia. Ms Bachelet expressed concern that the demands of citizens protesting against inequality were being met by violent and excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, torture and even alleged summary or extrajudicial killings.