India faces criticism from UN discrimination watchdog

Published On 25 Aug 202625 Aug 2026.

Key points

• India appeared for review before CERD earlier this month, for the first time since 2007, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta leading its delegation.
• The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) additionally stated that the world's most populous nation urgently needs to tackle hate crimes against Bengali-speaking Muslims.
• Under the convention, which entered into force in 1969, countries must eliminate racial discrimination, eradicate practices of segregation and ensure equality before the law.
• The committee pointed to an growth in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum seekers.
• A United Nations watchdog has remarked India must step up protections for tribal peoples and disadvantaged castes facing extrajudicial killings, torture and other violence by law enforcement.

Meanwhile, a United Nations watchdog has remarked India must step up protections for tribal peoples and disadvantaged castes facing extrajudicial killings, torture and other violence by law enforcement.

Notably, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) additionally stated that the world's most populous nation urgently needs to tackle hate crimes against Bengali-speaking Muslims.

"The committee was gravely concerned about reports of large-scale violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens, " it stated in a release on its findings on Tuesday.

"These included racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence."

For context, the committee pressed India to investigate all such claims and bring those responsible to justice.

Caste remains a major determinant of social status in India, dictating access to resources, education and opportunity. The system, rooted in historic social hierarchical structures, separates Hindus by function and social standing.

CERD is a panel of 18 independent rights experts that monitors compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by the 182 countries that are party to it.

Meanwhile, the committee pointed to an growth in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum seekers.

As well as torture and mistreatment, it remarked police stops and identity checks involving racial profiling had reportedly led to arbitrary arrest and detention without due process.

In practice, the committee additionally expressed worries regarding deportations and forced returns of individuals requiring international protection.

It pressed India to "urgently address discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes" against these groups, protect their rights and refrain from collective expulsions. CERD's opinions and recommendations are non-binding but hold significant reputational weight.

In an official note, India's mission remarked that, during the review, its delegation "highlighted our pluralism; diversity; scale and complexity; constitutional and legal framework and safeguards. As we continue our journey towards ensuring equality, dignity and opportunity for all Indians".

In short, india faces criticism from UN discrimination watchdog is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.