New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- India on Wednesday rejected references made in a report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), describing them as politically motivated and highly malicious. The response from the Ministry of External Affairs came after the committee issued its findings following India's 11th periodic review under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), held in Geneva on August 11 and 12. The MEA said India had participated in the review process in a spirit of constructive engagement and reaffirmed its commitment to combating racial discrimination. During the review, the Indian delegation highlighted the country's constitutional safeguards, legal framework, pluralistic character and measures aimed at protecting disadvantaged communities.
India questions UN committee's observations
The inter-ministerial delegation, led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had already rejected what India described as sweeping generalisations and unsubstantiated allegations during the review, the MEA said. India also objected to what it viewed as an attempt by the committee to go beyond the mandate of the convention. The government said it would respond to the committee's observations through the established procedure.
The Indian Mission in Geneva has also issued a detailed statement following the CERD review.
UN committee raises concerns over discrimination
The UN committee expressed concerns about reported violations by law enforcement personnel against ethnic and ethno-religious communities, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, as well as non-citizens.
It also raised concerns over discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes targeting groups including Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum seekers. The review covered India's combined 12th and 21st periodic reports submitted to the committee in 2023. Discussions examined the implementation of the racial discrimination convention, the situation of disadvantaged communities and measures aimed at addressing prejudice and intolerance.
India highlights constitutional safeguards
During the review, the Indian delegation highlighted the country's diversity and pluralism, along with constitutional and legal protections, affirmative action, judicial remedies and democratic accountability.
It also pointed to targeted government policies and continued socio-economic development aimed at promoting equality, dignity and opportunities for citizens. India has emphasised that it played a leading role in negotiating and drafting the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in the 1960s, when developing countries were confronting colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.