Geneva, March 2 -- Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that he was impressed by the vibrancy of civil society in India during his recent visit.

Turk noted that civil society plays a key role in upholding India's democratic traditions and protecting the rights of minorities, and emphasised that civic space must be vigorously defended so they can work without hindrance.

"During my recent trip to India, I was impressed by the vibrancy of civil society. They play a key role in upholding India's democratic traditions and the rights of minorities. It is important for civic space to be vigorously defended and for civil society to be able to do their work without hindrance," he said.

Turk had visited India for ...