‘Sweeping generalisations’: India rejects UN panel’s concerns over racial discrimination

India on Wednesday rejected references to the country in a UN committee report on racial discrimination, calling them “politically motivated” and “highly malicious” and accusing the panel of making sweeping and unsubstantiated claims.

The response came after the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) released observations following its review of India under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

MEA rejects UN panel’s observations

Responding to media queries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India had participated in the review in a “spirit of constructive engagement” and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling racial discrimination.

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

The ministry said India had presented its constitutional safeguards, legal framework and pluralistic character during the review, while highlighting measures aimed at protecting disadvantaged communities.

“During the review, we highlighted India’s constitutional safeguards, robust legal framework, pluralism and sustained efforts to protect disadvantaged communities.”

The MEA also said the Indian delegation had already raised objections to what it described as broad and unsupported claims during the review.

"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," the MEA stated.

What did the UN committee flag?

UNCERD had raised concerns over reports of “large-scale violations” by law enforcement personnel against ethnic and ethno-religious communities, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, as well as non-citizens.

The review, held on August 11-12, examined India’s 12th and 21st combined periodic reports submitted to CERD in 2023.

The discussions covered the implementation of ICERD, the situation of marginalised groups and steps to address prejudice and intolerance.

India highlights constitutional safeguards

The Permanent Mission of India in Geneva said the Indian delegation highlighted the country’s diversity, constitutional protections, affirmative action, judicial remedies and democratic accountability.

It also pointed to public policies aimed at promoting equality, dignity and opportunity for citizens.

The MEA stressed that India had played a leading role in negotiating and drafting ICERD during the 1960s. It said India would respond to the committee’s observations through the established procedure, while the Indian Mission in Geneva has also issued a detailed statement following the review.