UN Calls of India for Dropping Prosecution Charges against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain

The United Nations Human Rights Office, led by High Commissioner Volker Turk, has voiced concerns over the Indian government’s decision to prosecute prominent author Arundhati Roy and Kashmiri scholar Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for their comments on Kashmir.

The UN body has urged Indian authorities to dismiss the cases against Roy and Hussain, highlighting the need for a review of the UAPA and advocating for the release of human rights defenders detained under this law.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the UN Human Rights Office stated: “We are concerned by the use of #UAPA anti-terror law to silence critics. Repeat call for review of law & release of human rights defenders detained under it. Urge authorities to drop cases against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain over comments on Kashmir.”

The prosecution of Roy and Hussain traces back to speeches made at a 2010 event titled ‘Azadi – The Only Way.’ Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena granted sanction to prosecute them earlier in June. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on October 28, 2010, following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi.

Arundhati Roy, a well-known critic of India’s Kashmir policy, and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former professor at the Central University of Kashmir, have faced legal challenges for their outspoken views on Kashmir’s independence. The use of the UAPA in these cases has drawn significant criticism from international human rights organizations.

The UAPA, often described as draconian, has been a subject of controversy for its broad definitions and potential for misuse. Critics argue that the law infringes on freedom of speech and is used to stifle dissent. The UN’s call for a review underscores the global concern regarding human rights and the suppression of political expression.

High Commissioner Turk’s office reiterated the importance of protecting human rights defenders and ensuring that laws like the UAPA are not used to curb free speech. The international community’s response reflects a broader concern about civil liberties and the rule of law in India.

Conclusively, the UN Human Rights Office’s appeal to the Indian government to drop charges against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain and review the UAPA highlights the ongoing tension between national security measures and human rights. The case exemplifies the delicate balance between maintaining order and upholding fundamental freedoms in India.