India, Oct. 17 -- India strongly rebutted allegations by UN special rapporteur Gina Romero that young people in the country face retaliation or stigmatisation for speaking out on mental health and gender justice.

Delivering India's statement at the 81st Session of the UNGA Third Committee, first secretary Anuj Swarup defended the country's constitutional safeguards for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, calling the report's approach arbitrary.

"In India, these freedoms, together with freedom of speech and expression, are guaranteed to every citizen under Article 19 of our Constitution, and are protected by an independent judiciary, a free press, and an empowered National Human Rights Commission," Swarup said in the Interactive...