India rebuked by UN watchdog over alleged racial discrimination and rights abuses

India must strengthen protections for tribal communities and disadvantaged castes facing alleged extrajudicial killings, torture and violence by law enforcement, a UN rights watchdog said Tuesday.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) also urged India to urgently tackle hate crimes and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims.

The committee said it was “gravely concerned” by reports of large-scale violations by law enforcement against Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens. The reported abuses included racially motivated violence, excessive force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence.

CERD called on India to investigate such allegations and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Its recommendations are non-binding but carry significant reputational weight.

The committee also raised concerns over caste-based discrimination, with member Stamatia Stavrinaki saying there was a need for indicators showing that segregation affecting Dalits had been effectively reduced.

Rohingya, Asylum Seekers

India appeared before CERD earlier this month for the first time since 2007, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta leading the Indian delegation.

The committee flagged an increase in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum-seekers. It said reported racial profiling during police stops and identity checks had allegedly led to arbitrary arrests, detention without due process, torture and mistreatment.

CERD also expressed concern over deportations and forced returns of people in need of international protection. It urged India to address discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes against these groups and refrain from collective expulsions.

Stavrinaki said a perceived lack of accountability remained a concern, noting that hate crimes could not be effectively tackled if laws were not implemented.

She also said India lacked a clear legal prohibition against racial discrimination in the private sphere.

On human rights defenders, Stavrinaki said India had told the committee that it respected their work, but added that threats, hate crimes, hate speech and the “negative environment” faced by defenders were not adequately prevented or addressed.

India’s mission said its delegation had highlighted the country’s pluralism, diversity and constitutional and legal safeguards, along with its efforts to ensure “equality, dignity and opportunity for all Indians.”