UN Experts Urge Indian Authorities to Cease 'Use of Excessive Force' to Curb Protests
UN experts said police detained thousands of protesters and used excessive force, while urging India to protect peaceful assembly and curb surveillance abuses.
- On Tuesday, United Nations human rights experts called for an independent investigation into Indian authorities' conduct during recent protests, citing reports of excessive force and ill-treatment against peaceful demonstrators in New Delhi.
- Since October, Opposition parties and student groups have staged protests across India demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the Election Commission's handling of voter roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision.
- Experts claimed more than 7,000 individuals, including students and journalists, were recently detained in New Delhi, while authorities reportedly closed 45 metro stations and suspended mobile internet to restrict the gatherings.
- India has repeatedly dismissed such international criticism as 'hearsay' and interference in internal affairs, asserting that the Election Commission was only removing ineligible voters and those excluded can pursue appeals.
- The experts described the crackdown as part of a 'broader, troubling pattern,' urging the government to 'cease the use of excessive force, rescind blanket assembly bans and refrain from the misuse of digital surveillance.
39 Articles
39 Articles
India: End Crackdown on Protesters, Arbitrary Detentions
By Human Rights Watch October 13, 2026 Free All Wrongfully Detained; Uphold the Right to Peaceful Protest Police detain protesters during a demonstration demanding the resignation of India's chief election commissioner, in New Delhi, India, October 10, 2026. © 2026 AP Photo/Manish Swarup (New York) – Indian authorities are using abusive methods to crack down on thousands of peaceful protesters in New Delhi and other Indian cities, Human Rights W…
El Periódico
More than 25,000 police officers tightened the weekend in the city center. Before 250 trains had been cancelled and the subway stops closed to stop the announced flood of protesters. The day ended with thousands of detainees and reports of police brutality. It happened the weekend in New Delhi but there were similar protests in five other major Indian cities. Narendra Modi's invincible aura evaporates after 12 years in power, already forced to p…
The Independent
The Independent (US)UN experts call for independent investigation into crackdown on India protesters
Two dozen experts urge Indian authorities to stop use of ‘excessive force’ against demonstrators
United Nations experts called for an independent investigation into the use of force against protesters in India, calling for the cessation of violations and the lifting of restrictions, amid controversy over the removal of millions of voters and the arrest of protestors ' leaders.
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