India terms UN experts remarks on Khori Gaon 'unfortunate'

The Permanent Mission of India has termed remarks made by United Nations human rights experts on evictions in Faridabad, as unfortunate and abuse of position. India was asked to stop evicting 100,000 slum dwellers in Faridabad's Khori Gaon by UN experts through a press release.

Hyderabad: The Permanent Mission of India has termed remarks made by United Nations human rights experts on evictions in Faridabad, as unfortunate and abuse of position, in its letter dated July 17. The UN's Human Rights Council had directed the Union Government to stop eviction of 100,000 people in Faridabad's Khori Gaon, directing it to abstain from demeaning rule of law adherence in any democratic society.

"It is unfortunate that the Special Rapporteurs have chosen to issue a press release just two days after sending a joint communication to this Mission and not waiting for a response. It is equally unfortunate that the Special Rapporteurs have made disrespectful remarks against the Supreme Court of India. It is a worrying trend and an abuse of the position of the Special Rapporteurs which seriously damages the credibility of the institution of Special Rapporteurs," as per statement released by the Permanent Commission of India.

"India hopes the Special Rapporteurs will undertake genuine efforts to understand the importance of upholding the 'rule of law' in any democratic society and should desist from undermining the same," read the statement.

"India is fully aware of its international human rights obligation and has undertaken all requisite steps towards full implementation of all its human rights obligations. India's commitment to promotion and protection of human rights, including through its membership of the Human Rights Council, is well established," as per the statement.

The UN human rights experts had pointed out that the Supreme Court which led the housing rights protection, is now leading evictions and aggravating the risk of internal displacement and even homelessness, similarly in case of Khori Gaon.

The Supreme Court had directed Haryana and Faridabad municipal corporations to remove "all encroachments" comprising of 10,000 residential construction in the Aravali forest area. Compliance report from state government officials after encroachment removal was sought by the vacation bench of justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari within six weeks. Special Rapporteurs are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.