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

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk speaks to the media. File | Photo Credit: AP The Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (OHCHR) on Saturday (October 10, 2026) said it was “concerned” by reports of “mass detentions” at the Delhi protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. The UN body said that Indian authorities should ensure that the right to peaceful protest is respected and that all those detained “arbitrarily” must be immediately and unconditionally released. Keep track | Anti-CEC protest LIVE updates: CJP calls for another protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday; members allege they have no information on detained CJP leaders’ whereabouts“We are concerned by reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi,” UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in the statement, adding that any restrictions on the peaceful protests should meet the test of “necessity and proportionality”, in a possible reference to the large security presence in the Capital with barricades across central areas, the suspension of the internet, and the cancellation of trains to the city.#India: We are concerned by reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today's large-scale demonstrations in Delhi. We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled. https://t.co/tqrQyZoXBJ— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) October 10, 2026Unusually direct statement“The Indian authorities should also ensure law enforcement forces exercise utmost restraint in response to peaceful protesters, consistent with the country’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations,” Mr. Al-Kheetan said. The Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to the statement released on Saturday (October 10) evening. The UN body, based in Geneva, regularly publishes reports on human rights, and UN experts comment frequently on developments, but the statement is unusual, given the direct call to the government to “engage in meaningful dialogue to address the broadly held concerns expressed”. Published - October 10, 2026 11:16 pm IST