UN human rights body expresses concern over Delhi detentions, urges immediate release

The Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (OHCHR) expressed concern over reports of mass detentions during anti-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) protests in Delhi, urging the Indian authorities to release all those detained "arbitrarily" immediately and without condition. In a statement released on Saturday (October 10, 2026), UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the UN body was "concerned" by the reports of mass detentions, including demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organizations, lawyers, and journalists before and during the large-scale demonstrations in Delhi.

She added that any restrictions on peaceful protests should meet the test of "necessity and proportionality".

Al-Kheetan also called on Indian authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and upheld, urging law enforcement forces to exercise utmost restraint in response to peaceful protesters, consistent with the country's democratic traditions and human rights obligations. The statement from the UN body, based in Geneva, was unusual due to the direct call to the government to "engage in meaningful dialogue to address the broadly held concerns expressed."

The Ministry of External Affairs of India did not respond to the statement released on Saturday evening.