Geneva, March 2 (NationPress) Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, commended the robust civil society in India, emphasizing its pivotal role in maintaining the nation's democratic values and safeguarding minority rights.

While delivering his global update at the ongoing 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council last week, Turk also criticized Pakistan and China for their concerning human rights records.

During his recent visit to New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit, the UN Human Rights chief expressed admiration for India's vibrant civil society. "During my recent trip to India, I was struck by the active civil society. They are essential in defending India’s democratic principles and protecting the rights of minorities. It is vital for civic spaces to be actively defended, enabling civil society to operate freely," Turk stated at the UN Human Rights Council.

Turk raised concerns about Pakistan, where two human rights lawyers received a combined sentence of 17 years in prison recently. "In Pakistan, individuals advocating for human rights have faced imprisonment due to critical comments on social media," he mentioned during the session.

He also highlighted issues in Georgia, expressing regret over the limitations on civic freedoms. In Venezuela, he noted the release of several arbitrarily detained individuals and called for the liberation of others, urging a review of the state of emergency to ensure it aligns with civic rights and human rights. Civil society and victim groups must be allowed to engage meaningfully in public matters. An update will be provided on March 16," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted.

Turk further urged the Chinese government to cease employing "ambiguous criminal, administrative, and national security laws" to stifle the peaceful exercise of fundamental rights. "I call for the release of all those held arbitrarily. I regret the lack of follow-up by the authorities on previous recommendations regarding accountability, particularly in protecting the rights of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, as well as Tibetans in their regions. This includes labor rights and religious and cultural freedoms. I am also alarmed by the escalating oppression of Protestant communities," he said.

During his visit to India, Turk met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 20. EAM Jaishankar remarked that he discussed with the UN Human Rights chief the "necessity for consistency in human rights" and also underscored the threat of terrorism, which he identified as a major violation of human rights.

After their meeting, EAM Jaishankar shared insights on India's perspectives regarding the global human rights landscape and the most effective ways to tackle existing challenges.

"Completing my first visit to India for the AI Summit; thankful for discussions with Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar regarding global, regional, and domestic human rights, the NHRC India (National Human Rights Commission, India), and India's dynamic civil society, which plays a significant role in advancing the human rights of all," he posted on X following his meeting with EAM Jaishankar.