Amid stalemate over Indian farmers’ protest against New Delhi’s new policies, the United Nations human rights office, OHCHR, has called on Indian authorities and protesting farmers to exercise “maximum restraint” and respect human rights.
The protestors imposed a nationwide road blockade on Saturday seeking a repeal of new agricultural laws.
The rights office also stressed the need for equitable solutions with due respect for human rights.
“We call on the authorities and protesters to exercise maximum restraint in ongoing farmers protests. The rights to peaceful assembly and expression should be protected both offline and online”, the office said.
“It is crucial to find equitable solutions with due respect to human rights for all”, it added.
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On Jan 27, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Tuesday called for calm in the wake of violent clashes in New Delhi between the protesting Indian farmers and the police on India’s Republic Day that left one person dead and many more injured.
“As we say in many of these cases, I think it’s important to respect peaceful protests, freedom of assembly, and non-violence,” his Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said in response to a question at the regular noon briefing in New York.
Tens of thousands of farmers have camped out on the outskirts of New Delhi for more than two months, blocking key roads and demonstrating against the laws they say will benefit large private buyers at their expense.
Though protests started off largely peacefully, violence flared on 26 January when some farmers drove into the city, clashing with security forces.
According to media reports, internet services were shut off in areas where the protesters were camped, and barricades set up by authorities.
