India condemns UN rep’s comment on Hathras incident
The UN Resident Coordinator’s statement on recent cases of violence against women on Monday (October 6) was “unwarranted,” India has said.
The UN Resident Coordinator’s statement on recent cases of violence against women on Monday (October 6) was “unwarranted,” India has said.
The Ministry of External Affairs criticized the United Nations’ official and said that the investigation process is still under way, and that “any unnecessary comments by an external agency are best avoided.”
A spokesperson said: “Some unwarranted comments have been made by the UN Resident Coordinator regarding some recent cases of violence against women. The UN Resident Coordinator in India should be aware that these cases have been taken extremely seriously by the government.”
The spokesperson said since the investigation process is still under way, any unnecessary comments by an external agency are best avoided. “The Constitution guarantees equality to all citizens of India. As a democracy, we have a time-tested record of providing justice to all sections of society.”
The UN office in India had put out a statement regarding the alleged rape cases occurring in Hathras and Balrampur regions of Uttar Pradesh in India.
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“Cases of the alleged rape, murder in Hathras, Balrampur are another reminder that women, girls from disadvantaged social groups are at greater risk of gender-based violence,” said UN.
The Hathras case has triggered outrage across the country with a series of intense protests being observed across the nation, demanding punishment for the accused.
Deputy Country Representative and Officer in Charge, UN Women, Nishtha Satyam said, “We fully stand by and wholeheartedly support the statement given by our Resident Coordinator regarding the brutal rape and murder of two girls in Hathras and Balrampur.
“We unequivocally condemn the heinous act and demand that perpetrators be brought to book, that justice is fast-tracked and the safety of the victims family is ensured,” she said.
The Hathras woman died at Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital on September 29. All the four accused in the incident have been arrested and the state government has decided to hand over the probe to the CBI.