The CAA “is contrary to India’s obligations under international human rights law, in particular on non-discrimination”, UN special advisor on the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng said.
In a strong statement, a senior United Nations official has expressed concern that the adoption of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 has led to rising number of hate speech and discrimination against minority communities.
In a press note issued through the UN, the special advisor on the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, said that while the objective of the act to provide protection to minorities is commendable, “it is concerning that this protection is not extended to all groups, including Muslims.”
“This is contrary to India’s obligations under international human rights law, in particular on non-discrimination,” he stated.
Dieng joins a chorus of voices from United Nations, starting from the secretary general Antonio Guterres to the UN human rights chief, who have been critical about the CAA. UN high commissioner for human rights Michele Bachelet had also moved an intervention application in the Supreme Court in the hearings against CAA.
The Act was passed by the Indian parliament in December 2019 and provides for fast-track citizenship for persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. However, it excludes Muslims from the list of people who can apply for this provision.
The passage of the Act triggered a series of protest, with critics claiming that the CAA would be used in conjunction with the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens to render Muslims stateless.
Source: THE WIRE
