UN rights chief moves Indian SC against controversial citizenship law

NEW DELHI (92 News) – The United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights moved an application in the Indian Supreme Court against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Tuesday. The petition has been filed by UNHRC Michelle Bachelet. Last week, Bachelet had also expressed concern over police inaction during the communal violence that took place in the Indian capital. Then too, the Indian government had said that the CAA was an internal matter of India. Last year, at the 42nd session of the council in Geneva, Bachelet had expressed she was “deeply concerned” after India initiated its clampdown in occupied Kashmir. India’s move to annex Jammu & Kashmir through revocation of the region’s special status and the imposition of a communications and travel lockdown was also strongly criticised by independent UN experts who termed the moves as “collective punishment” for the entire population. On the other hand, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the CAA is an ‘internal matter’ of India. "Our Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed yesterday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that her Office had filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court of India with respect to the Citizenship Amendment Act." MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty. India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values." Kumar said: "India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have the utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court."