The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, said he is disturbed by discrimination and violence directed at Dalits and concerned that criticism of the government is met by claims that it constitutes sedition or a threat to national security.
The statement came in an annual report to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s March 2018 session where Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said,
“In India, I am increasingly disturbed by discrimination and violence directed at minorities, including Dalits and other scheduled castes, and religious minorities such as Muslims. In some cases this injustice appears actively endorsed by local or religious officials. I am concerned that criticism of government policies is frequently met by claims that it constitutes sedition or a threat to national security. I am deeply concerned by efforts to limit critical voices through the cancellation or suspension of registration of thousands of NGOs, including groups advocating for human rights and even public health groups.”