United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday expressed her concerns over the final National Register of Citizens (NRC).
She noted that over 19 lakh people have been excluded from the final National Register of Citizens (NRC), which was released on August 31. She appealed the Indian government that those excluded from the list should be ensured due process to avoid detention and to be protected from statelessness.
She was deeply concerned about the impact of the decisions taken by the Indian government on human rights of Kashmiris. She was pointing towards the Centre's recent orders including abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, the imposition of section 144, detention of mainstream political leaders, and bifurcate the erstwhile state into two union territories (UTs).
While speaking at the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council, Bachelet urged the Indian government to ease the restrictions imposed in the Valley and provide people with basic services, adding the all due process rights were also respected for those under detention.
She requested both the governments of India and Pakistan to ensure human rights were respected and protected. She further pressed for consulting and engaging the people of Kashmir in any decision-making processes that would impact them in the future.
