India rejected claims made by UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero that young people in the country face retaliation or stigmatisation for discussing mental health or gender justice.
Indian diplomat Anuj Swarup asserted that the allegations were based on anonymous and unverified submissions.
In a statement delivered at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, First Secretary Anuj Swarup said India’s Constitution guarantees these freedoms to every citizen, ANI reported.
India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York shared Swarup’s statement in a post on X.
“Madam Chair, India takes note of the report of the special rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association. In India, these freedoms, together with freedom of speech and expression, are guaranteed to every citizen under Article 19 of our Constitution, and are protected by an independent judiciary, a free press, and an empowered National Human Rights Commission,” Swarup said.
