India rebuked by UN discrimination watchdog

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has reprimanded India for failing to protect tribal peoples and disadvantaged castes from extrajudicial killings, torture, and violence by law enforcement. The committee expressed deep concern over widespread violations against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens.

These abuses encompass racial violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention without proper legal process, torture, ill-treatment, and sexual violence. The committee urged India to investigate such allegations and hold perpetrators accountable. India, which recently submitted its review before CERD for the first time since 2007, must address discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes against these vulnerable groups, protect their rights, and avoid collective expulsions.