Tag Archives: detentions

UN Human Rights Body Raises Alarm Over Mass Detentions in Delhi, Mumbai Protests

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The United Nations Human Rights office has raised concerns over the reported mass detention of protesters, opposition leaders, lawyers, journalists and civil society members in Delhi, calling on Indian authorities to release anyone arbitrarily detained and exercise restraint amid a sweeping security crackdown on demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In a statement on Saturday, October 10, the UN body said it was concerned about detentions before and during large-scale protests in the national capital. The demonstrations, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and others, were linked to allegations and concerns surrounding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

“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 body said.

The office stressed that restrictions on peaceful demonstrations must satisfy strict tests of necessity and proportionality. It urged the authorities to ensure that law enforcement personnel exercised “utmost restraint” and called for meaningful dialogue to address protesters’ concerns, citing India’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations.

The intervention places the handling of the protests under international scrutiny as opposition parties accuse the government of suppressing dissent. The Indian government has rejected the UN office’s concerns as misplaced, according to subsequent reports.

More Than 7,000 Detained as Delhi Sees Massive Security Deployment

More than 7,000 protesters were reportedly detained across Delhi as police and paramilitary personnel moved to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar, where the CJP had planned a mobilisation demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The security operation involved more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel, according to reports. Barricades were erected across Lutyens’ Delhi, and authorities conducted checks at border points, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and other sensitive locations. Several metro stations were also closed, disrupting movement across parts of the capital.

Police repeatedly announced that people and mediapersons should not assemble in groups at Jantar Mantar. Authorities also monitored social media for attempts to mobilise demonstrators, with more than 200 content creators reportedly under scrutiny over online posts and messages connected to the proposed protest.

Tensions escalated near Akashwani Bhawan on Imtiaz Ali Marg at around 1 pm, when a group allegedly threw stones at security personnel, injuring two police officers. The protesters were detained, and a senior police officer said multiple first information reports could be registered in connection with the incident.

Police also detained people at Hanuman Temple, Safdarjung Flyover and Kerala House, as well as demonstrators who managed to reach Jantar Mantar.

CJP convener Abhijit Dipke and party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Delhi airport after arriving from Mumbai, according to reports. In a video shared by the party, Dipke could be heard telling officers who entered the aircraft: “We are here to be arrested, come and arrest us.”

Police had informed CJP leaders that permission had not been granted for the Jantar Mantar demonstration. Dipke criticised the detentions, alleging that party leaders were being treated like criminals and describing the action as authoritarian.

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who lives abroad and had travelled to India to join the demonstration, was detained from his residence in Gurugram’s Sector 56, according to reports.

The crackdown extended beyond activists and party workers, drawing prominent political figures into the dispute.

Opposition Leaders Detained, Sonam Wangchuk Issues Warning

Several opposition leaders were reportedly detained as they attempted to join the demonstration from different parts of Delhi. Those named in reports included former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the CPI(M), and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar of the CPI(M).

The detentions prompted sharp criticism from opposition parties. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Narendra Modi government of turning the “mother of democracy” into a “muzzled democracy”, alleging that the BJP and RSS were displaying cowardice through the crackdown.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with young protesters and urged them to continue their demonstrations. He challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrest all the protesters, saying they would continue their fight to defend the Constitution and protect the voice of the Indian people.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk also warned of a possible protest if those detained were not released within 24 hours. Wangchuk had previously joined a 36-day CJP agitation at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak issue. That protest ended on July 25 following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to the supplied reports.

The earlier agitation had also witnessed unrest during a march towards Parliament on July 20, when security personnel attempted to stop demonstrators.

The mobilisation spread to Mumbai, where police detained around 400 people at different locations for allegedly protesting without permission in solidarity with the Delhi demonstrations. Those reportedly detained included actor Imran Khan, activist Tushar Gandhi and CPI(M) workers. Demonstrations took place at August Kranti Maidan, Hutatma Chowk and other locations.

In Delhi, authorities maintained heightened security, deploying more than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces to assist local police. Mock drills were conducted at several locations to assess preparedness, while liquor shops across the capital were closed as a precautionary measure.

‘Unwarranted Response’: MEA

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s office pushed back against the UN Human Rights office’s criticism, with India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva describing the concerns as “misplaced” and an “unwarranted interference” in the country’s internal affairs.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday, October 10, India said the right to peaceful assembly was guaranteed by the Constitution and safeguarded by robust democratic institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media. It added that demonstrations, as in other democracies, were subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, maintained that authorities acted in accordance with the law and said courts remained available to address grievances.

India also urged the UN body to devote comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere, citing the principles of impartiality and non-selectivity.

The UN Human Rights office’s intervention has added an international dimension to the controversy over the handling of dissent and the proposed electoral-roll revision. Its central demand is that authorities respect the right to peaceful assembly, ensure proportionality in law enforcement and release those arbitrarily detained.

The immediate questions are how many of those detained will remain in custody, whether formal cases will be registered against protesters and how the authorities will respond to demands for dialogue over the SIR exercise. The episode has intensified the political confrontation over electoral fraud allegations, civil liberties and the right to protest.

Yemen: UN Sounds Alarm as Famine, Fighting, Detentions Exacerbate Crisis

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UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg told the Security Council on Monday that the turmoil in Yemen cannot be seen in isolation.

“Yemen is both a mirror and a magnifier of the region’s volatility,” he said, noting that progress toward peace is hampered by regional rivalries, cross-border dynamics, and internal divisions.

Mr. Grundberg highlighted a dangerous escalation in hostilities, noting repeated attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. Military clashes in Al Dhale’, Ma’rib, and Ta’iz underscore the risk that miscalculations could trigger a return to full-scale conflict.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have been fighting Yemeni Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, for control of the country for over a decade.

Hans Grundberg, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, briefs the Security Council on the situation in Yemen. He warned that Yemen’s conflict is unravelling within an already volatile regional landscape.

© UNICEF/Ahmed Al-Basha A girl and her brother walk home after attending classes at a UNICEF-supported educational tent. Millions of children in Yemen are out of school due to displacement and conflict-damaged schools. (file photo)

“Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, we are seeing an alarming and dangerous intensification of hostilities between Ansar Allah and Israel,” he said, noting that a number of civilians were reportedly killed and injured, and critical infrastructure struck.

The Special Envoy warned that the current cycle of violence is dragging Yemen further from a peace process that could deliver sustainable, long-term peace and economic growth.

“This escalatory cycle must end…we need to get the focus back on Yemen – focus on both its internal challenges and on unlocking its great potential,” he stressed.

Spiralling humanitarian situation

The humanitarian situation is equally dire. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told the Council that Yemen remains the third most food-insecure country in the world, with 17 million people already struggling to eat and an additional one million expected to face extreme hunger before February next year.

“Seventy per cent of households do not have enough food to meet daily needs – this is the highest rate ever recorded,” he said.

Mr. Fletcher highlighted that one in five households goes a full day without any food, while two million women and girls have lost access to reproductive health services amid funding shortfalls.

Despite funding gaps and a challenging operating environment, humanitarians continue to deliver aid where possible. In Hajjah, Amran, and Ma’rib, organizations have provided food, water, health, and nutrition services to tens of thousands.

More than 172,000 people affected by flooding received non-food items, shelter, hygiene kits, and clean water.

But Mr. Fletcher warned that ongoing hostilities, infrastructure damage, and the detention of UN staff severely hamper operations.

Twenty-two UN personnel have been recently arbitrarily detained by Ansar Allah; though one staff member was released, over 40 remain in detention, including a colleague who died while in custody.

Both top UN officials emphasised the urgent need for dialogue and adherence to international law. Special Envoy Grundberg urged Yemeni leaders to step back from unilateral actions and pursue a nationwide ceasefire, economic reforms, and inclusive political engagement.

Mr. Fletcher called for the immediate release of all detained aid workers and a secure operating environment, warning that funding cuts and conflict-related obstacles are costing lives.

“Detaining humanitarian staff does not help the people of Yemen. It does not feed the hungry, heal the sick, nor protect those displaced by floods or fighting,” he said.

“The people of Yemen, wherever they may live, must receive the humanitarian aid that they need. They deserve a future of greater security, justice and opportunity.”

World News in Brief: More deaths in Ukraine, lengthy detentions in Egypt, AI governance, US postal tariffs

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Since Friday, 11 civilians have been killed and more than 90 wounded, according to the authorities. Schools and energy infrastructure also were damaged.

The Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine was the most affected, with the town of Kostiantynivka particularly hard hit. 

Six other regions – Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia – were also impacted, with homes, schools, ambulances and power infrastructure in front-line areas sustaining damage.

In response, aid organizations have distributed repair materials, hot meals and drinks, in addition to providing psychological support.

Families on the run

Meanwhile, humanitarians continue to support people fleeing hostilities in the Donetsk and Dnipro regions.

OCHA said over 2,000 people, many of them children, were evacuated from Donetsk between Friday and Monday. 

“With growing pressure on the transit site in the town of Pavlohrad, authorities and aid organizations opened new facilities in the village of Voloske, Dnipro region, and the town of Lozova, Kharkiv region,” the agency said.

Evacuees receive medical and psychosocial support, hot meals, water and hygiene supplies, and can register for cash assistance before moving on to safer areas. 

At the same time, humanitarians are also supporting arrivals in other parts of Ukraine.

Egypt urged to end ‘rotation’ detention practice targeting Government critics

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, called on Tuesday for Egypt to end a practice known as “rotation” which allows Government critics to be held arbitrarily and for prolonged periods even after serving their sentences or completing maximum pre-trial detention.

Human rights defenders, activists, lawyers, journalists, peaceful protesters and political opponents are among those who have been targeted.

The latest case concerns poet Galal El-Behairy, who was arbitrarily detained after completing a prison term on 31 July 2021 for writing songs and poetry critical of the Government. 

He has since faced similar charges in two different cases under the counter-terrorism law and the penal code. The latest charges were brought on 19 August 2025, extending his detention for at least 15 more days.

Suppressing critical voices

Rotation “has become a tool by which the Egyptian Government represses those perceived to be critical of its policies,” OHCHR Spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told journalists in Geneva.

“Most of those targeted by ‘rotation’ should not have been detained or jailed in the first place, as the charges brought against them are often related to the exercise of their legitimate rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” he said.

OHCHR urged the Egyptian authorities to immediately end the practice and release all those who have been subjected to it. 

UN announces two new mechanisms to promote cooperation on AI governance

The UN Secretary-General welcomed the General Assembly’s decision on Tuesday to establish two new mechanisms to promote international cooperation on the governance of artificial intelligence (AI).

The establishment of the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance marks a significant step forward in global efforts to harness the benefits of the technology while addressing its risks.  

The development underlines commitment by Member States to build on the Global Digital Compact adopted as part of the Pact for the Future last September, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.

Fostering inclusion, informing decision-making

He said the Global Dialogue will provide an inclusive platform within the UN for States and stakeholders to discuss the critical issues concerning AI facing humanity today.

The Scientific Panel will serve as a crucial bridge between cutting-edge AI research and policymaking, he added.

“By providing rigorous, independent scientific assessments, it will help the international community to anticipate emerging challenges and make informed decisions about how we govern this transformative technology,” he explained.

The Secretary-General will soon launch an open call for nominations for the Scientific Panel, which will present its annual reports at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance to take place in July 2026 in Geneva and 2027 in New York.

In the interim, all stakeholders are urged “to support this historic initiative and contribute to building a future where artificial intelligence serves the common good of all humanity.”

This post office was officially opened on 4 September 1981 in Karagwe District, Kagera Region in Tanzania

UN postal agency striving to keep packages moving ahead of US duty-free deadline 

The UN postal agency says it is taking all possible measures to keep packages flowing to the United States after dozens of countries suspended service. 

“Maintaining the trust of the billions of people served by the postal network is our top priority,” said Universal Postal Union (UPU) Director General Masahiko Metoki. 

Starting on 29 August, the US announced that it will suspend duty-free “de minimis” measures for low-value packages.  

That means packages worth less than $800 will no longer be exempt from customs duties and may require new processing requirements. There is no impact on letters. 

A big change

The UPU noted that while each country has the sovereign right to adopt its own customs policies, the change “will entail considerable operational changes for postal operators around the world” – given the short notice. 

Postal services in at least 25 countries have suspended their outbound postal services to the US, citing uncertainties related to transit, according to the UPU. 

The UN agency says it is working to help countries adjust to new customs duty collection and remittance process and is in contact with the US Government to develop practical solutions.   

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World News in Brief: Sudan refugees, aid for Syrian returnees, MERS alert in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela urged to end secret detentions

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The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on Wednesday that most of the new arrivals are women and children.

Many have come from Zamzam camp and the city of El Fasher, locations targeted by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who’ve been fighting forces of the military government for more than two years.

In Chad, the high numbers of those arriving are putting significant strain on overwhelmed resources.

Exhausted and victimised

Aid teams say that many refugees arrive exhausted after walking for days because they are unable to afford transport.

They report being victims of targeted attacks, looting and sexual violence.

Numerous children have been injured, families separated, and others remain missing, the refugee agency said.

Immediate needs in Chad include shelter, food, medical care and psychological support but the $409 million refugee response appeal is only 20 per cent funded.

Syria’s returnees desperately need help to start over

Syrians trying to rebuild their lives in their war-torn country urgently need the support of the rest of the world to help them start again, UN aid agencies said on Wednesday.

Hopes rose this week in Damascus following Donald Trump’s move to end punitive sanctions – but after more than 13 years of civil war that ended with the fall of the Assad regime last December, many communities today face a range of basic problems.

These include unreliable access to electricity, clean water and healthcare.

Records destroyed

The destruction of public records is also preventing returnees from accessing essential services or claiming housing and land rights, according to the UN migration agency, IOM.

Its Director-General, Amy Pope, insisted Syrians were resilient and innovative but that they needed help, now. “Enabling (them) to return to a country that is on the path to stability and progress is critical for the country’s future,” she insisted.

A new IOM report from more than 1,100 communities across Syria found that work is scarce, partly because farming and markets are still struggling to recover.

Shelter reconstruction is also needed urgently, while unresolved property issues continue to prevent people from rejoining their communities.

Since January 2024, the UN agency has recorded more than 1.3 million returnees previously displaced within Syria, in addition to nearly 730,000 arrivals from abroad.

WHO issues warning over deadly MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia

A recent outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia has raised concerns after two people died from the disease between March and April.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines to help contain the outbreak, which has seen nine confirmed cases – seven of them in the capital, Riyadh. Several of those infected were healthcare workers who caught the virus from a patient.

MERS is caused by a zoonotic coronavirus, from the same family of viruses as COVID-19. While WHO estimates the fatality rate to be around 36 per cent, the true figure may be lower, as mild cases often go undiagnosed.

Despite the recent cases, the risk of wider spread remains moderate at both the regional and global levels, according to WHO.

MERS is primarily carried by dromedary camels and can be passed to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected animals.

Human-to-human transmission usually happens in healthcare settings, through respiratory droplets or close contact.

No vaccine, no cure

Much like COVID-19, MERS can range from no symptoms at all to severe respiratory illness, including acute respiratory distress — and in some cases, death. There’s currently no vaccine or specific treatment.

To stop the virus from spreading, WHO urges hospitals and clinics to step up infection prevention and control measures, especially where suspected cases are being treated.

Since MERS was first identified in 2012, it has caused 858 deaths across 27 countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Call for Venezuela to end secret detention of political opponents

Top independent human rights experts have urged the Venezuelan authorities to stop the reported practice of holding political opponents incommunicado.

In an alert on Wednesday, they insisted that these “targeted detentions” were illegal and amounted to enforced disappearance, a major human rights violation if proved and potentially an international crime.

They maintained that using secret detention was a deliberate strategy by the State “to silence opposition figures…and to instill fear among the population”.

Lack of legal protection

The mission pointed to a widespread lack of “effective judicial protection” for civil society in Venezuela and accused State security forces of colluding with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The services allegedly responsible for detentions include the national intelligence service, the national guard and military counterintelligence.

The mission’s independent rights experts also maintained that criminal courts and the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice were also “complicit” by ensuring that the alleged crimes went unpunished.

The Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela was created by the Human Rights Council in 2019; its members are not UN staff and they work in an independent capacity.