The UN Human Rights Office has expressed concern over the use of anti-terror laws in India to stifle dissent, specifically urging authorities to drop legal cases against author Arundhati Roy over her remarks on Kashmir.
High Commissioner Volker Turk, leading the UN Human Rights Office, underscored the need for a review of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (#UAPA), calling for the release of human rights defenders detained under its provisions.
The appeal comes in response to cases involving Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain, accused of delivering provocative speeches at a 2010 event in New Delhi.
Earlier this month, Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena sanctioned the prosecution of Roy and Hussain based on allegations stemming from their participation in a conference titled ‘Azadi – The Only Way’. This move has sparked international debate and criticism, particularly regarding freedom of expression in India.
Arundhati Roy, celebrated for her literary contributions and outspoken activism, was recently honoured with the prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024. This accolade, bestowed by the charity English PEN in memory of Nobel laureate Harold Pinter, recognizes her unwavering commitment to free speech and fearless writing.
The case against Roy and Hussain reflects broader concerns about the rights of individuals to express dissenting views without facing punitive legal action.
As global attention focuses on their plight, advocates continue to call for a fair and impartial review of the legal charges, emphasising the importance of upholding fundamental freedoms in democratic societies.
The Pen Pinter Prize underscores Roy's significant literary achievements and her role in advocating for social justice and human rights, resonating with the ongoing discourse on freedom of expression worldwide.
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