India slams UN agency for ‘baseless’ allegations against security forces, defends UAPA

India on Thursday lashed out at the UN human rights agency for making “baseless and unfounded allegations” against the country’s law enforcement authorities and security forces and criticising the arrest of a Kashmiri rights activist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The ministry of external affairs said that the statement made by the spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) “betrays a complete lack of understanding” of the security challenges faced by India from cross border terrorism and its impact on the ‘Right to Life’ of Indian citizens.

“As a democratic country, with an abiding commitment to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens, India takes all necessary steps to counter cross border terrorism,” said MEA spokesperson Adrindam Bagchi in a statement, urging the UN agency to develop a “better understanding of the negative impact of terrorism on human rights.”

The statement comes after the OHCHR raised concern over the arrest of Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez under the UAPA. On Wednesday, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Rupert Colvill reiterated the call to amend the UAPA to “bring it into line with international human rights law and standards.” Colvill also urged Indian authorities to refrain from using the law in cases involving civil society, media, and activists.

The recent civilian killings in the Valley prompted counterterrorism operations in which several terrorists were neutralised by security forces. But the operation also resulted in the killing of two civilians in Hyderpora encounter, triggering protests from human rights activists and kin of the deceased. While calling on security forces to exercise restraint, the UN rights agency said it was increasingly alarmed by the rise in targeted killings by “armed groups” in Kashmir.

“Referring to proscribed terrorist organisations as 'armed groups' demonstrates a clear bias on the part of OHCHR,” said Bagchi.