They should desist from undermining the rule of law, said the Indian Permanent Mission in Geneva

India on Saturday termed as ‘unfortunate’ and ‘abuse of position’ a press release issued by a group of UN Special Rapporteurs calling for a halt to evictions in the Khori Gaon settlement in Faridabad.

“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," the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva and other International Organisations said in a statement.

The Indian mission said that "it is equally unfortunate that the Special Rapporteurs have made disrespectful remarks against the Hon'ble 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".

India expressed hope that 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.

“India is fully aware of its international human rights obligations 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," the Indian mission said.

India’s statement comes a day after the UN human rights experts called on India to halt evictions of about 100,000 people in Khori Gaon in Faridabad, saying it was “particularly important" that residents are kept safe during the pandemic and terming the Supreme Court removal order as “extremely worrying."