PEN International, a worldwide writers’ association based in London, has raised alarm over India’s handling of freedom of expression issues during a recent United Nations Human Rights Committee review of the country's human rights record. The association's report, submitted for the periodic review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), highlights a growing crackdown on dissent in India. The report details the increasing use of legal harassment, including arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions without trial, targeting writers, journalists, academics, and other critics of the government. PEN International expressed deep concern over the weaponization of India's legal system to suppress peaceful expression, particularly criticism of government policies. Key concerns raised in the report include the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to unjustly prosecute critics.

The detention of individuals in the Bhima Koregaon/Elgar Parishad case, such as professor Hany Babu and poet Varavar Rao, who have been denied bail on medical grounds, was specifically highlighted. The report also pointed to recent raids on the independent media organization NewsClick as part of a broader effort to silence independent media and censor online criticism of the government. Additionally, the association criticized the frequent use of internet shutdowns in regions like Indian illegally Jammu and Kashmir to suppress dissenting views. Despite these pressing issues being brought to the fore by committee members, PEN International noted that the Indian delegation failed to substantively address many of the concerns regarding undue restrictions on freedom of expression.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan