Ahead of India’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council today(Thursday), Amnesty International UN Member States to peer review India’s human rights records and to hold the country accountable for its abuses and violations.
Aakar Patel, chair of board of Amnesty International India, in a statement said, “India’s fourth UPR arrives at a time when human rights and critical institutions, independent media houses and civil society are facing systematic attacks in the country.”
“This assessment presents a crucial opportunity for UN Member States to peer review India’s human rights records and to hold the country accountable for its abuses and violations.” “The UPR also offers a chance to assess India’s implementation of recommendations from previous reviews which remains to be actioned upon such as the ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the UN Convention relating to the Status of the Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as other international instruments. Also, India has received visits requests from 25 UN special procedures but is yet to respond positively to most of them.”
“Amnesty International strongly urges all UN Member States to engage in meaningful discussions with India, including by following up on their past recommendations and offering concrete recommendations to improve respect for human rights in the country.”—KMS
