Centre rejects UN panel’s observations on India as ‘politically motivated’

Observations by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on India have drawn a strong reaction from the Centre, with the government refuting them as "politically motivated" and "highly malicious.”

Centre rejects UN committee observations

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday (August 26) stated in a release that the remarks made by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination following India's 11th periodic review under ICERD have come to its notice.

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Describing the exercise as a routine treaty body review, the MEA stated that India took part in the review in a spirit of constructive engagement, adding that New Delhi is committed to curbing racial discrimination.

It further stated that during the review process, India highlighted constitutional safeguards and a comprehensive legal framework along with pluralistic ethos, and continuous efforts directed at safeguarding disadvantaged communities.

MEA flags 'politically motivated' remarks

"While we will respond to the Committee's observations through the established procedure, the inter-Ministerial delegation, which was led by the Solicitor General of India, Shri Tushar Mehta, had already rejected the sweeping generalisations, unsubstantiated allegations, or tendency to exceed the Convention's mandate during the review meeting," stated the MEA.

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"India rejects any politically motivated highly malicious references in the report with all the contempt that it deserves," it added.

UN panel raises concerns

The MEA’s response followed concerns raised by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) over alleged "large-scale violations" involving law enforcement personnel and ethnic, ethno-religious and Indigenous communities, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Dalits and non-citizens.

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CERD is an independent body that reviews how countries implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Its latest review of India, held on August 11-12, covered the country’s combined periodic reports submitted in 2023.

The discussions examined India’s administrative arrangements under ICERD, the situation of marginalised communities and measures addressing prejudice and intolerance, according to the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva.

India has also remained engaged with ICERD since its drafting in the 1960s.