Rubio Dismisses UN Criticism of India's Protest Management
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends India's handling of protests, labeling UN experts as an 'oxymoron.'
Rubio questions the credibility of UN experts criticizing India's protest response.
Over 20 UN human rights experts demand an independent inquiry into alleged police violence.
India maintains that international critiques are interference in its domestic affairs.
During a press conference on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the ongoing protests in India, asserting that they are an internal political issue and questioning the credibility of UN experts who have criticized the Indian government's response. Rubio referred to the term 'UN experts' as an 'oxymoron' while emphasizing that public demonstrations are a fundamental aspect of democratic societies.
Rubio's comments came shortly after a group of over 20 UN human rights experts called for an independent investigation into the Indian authorities' handling of the protests. These experts alleged that excessive force was used against peaceful demonstrators, leading to arbitrary detentions and restrictions on public gatherings. The protests, primarily driven by opposition parties and student groups, demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amidst claims of irregularities in the electoral roll revision process.
When questioned about the protests and the UN's criticism, Rubio stated that the United States would not interfere in India's internal political matters. He highlighted that political disagreements and public expressions of dissent are part of a healthy democratic discourse. Rubio differentiated between peaceful protests and violent unrest, clarifying that he was not specifically referring to the situation in India but rather making a broader point about democratic expression worldwide.
The UN experts have urged Indian authorities to investigate the reported human rights violations and to cease what they describe as excessive force against unarmed protesters. In response, India has consistently rejected international criticism, labeling it as unwarranted interference in its sovereign affairs. Indian diplomat Barkha Tamrakar emphasized at the UN that human rights should not be weaponized for political pressure or selective targeting of nations.
The protests are rooted in demands for transparency regarding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with protesters questioning the removal of names from voter lists. The Election Commission has defended its actions, stating that the revision aims to eliminate duplicate entries and the names of ineligible voters while providing avenues for appeals for those affected.
