UN Anti-Racism Committee Condemns India Over Hate Crimes, Extrajudicial Killings of Minorities

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has warned that India must urgently address hate crimes targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims and strengthen safeguards for other marginalized communities.

Published On 25 Aug 202625 Aug 2026

A United Nations watchdog has declared that India must enhance protections for tribal communities and disadvantaged castes who face extrajudicial killings, torture, and other forms of violence at the hands of law enforcement.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) also emphasized that the world’s most populous nation must urgently confront hate crimes directed at Bengali-speaking Muslims.

“The committee was gravely concerned by reports of large-scale violations committed by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples—including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens,” the panel stated in a release detailing its findings on Tuesday.

“These violations include racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment, and sexual violence.”

The committee urged India to investigate all such allegations and hold those responsible accountable.

Caste continues to be a primary determinant of social status in India, governing access to resources, education, and opportunity. Rooted in historical hierarchical structures, the system stratifies Hindus by occupation and social standing.

CERD comprises 18 independent rights experts tasked with monitoring compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its 182 state parties.

Under the convention, which entered into force in 1969, states are obligated to eliminate racial discrimination, eradicate segregation, and guarantee equality before the law.

India underwent review by CERD earlier this month for the first time since 2007, with a delegation led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The committee highlighted a rise in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants, and asylum seekers.

It reported that police stops and identity checks involving racial profiling have reportedly resulted in arbitrary arrests, detention without due process, torture, and mistreatment.

The committee also raised concerns regarding the deportation and forced return of individuals entitled to international protection.

It urged India to “urgently address discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes” against these groups, safeguard their rights, and refrain from collective expulsions.

While CERD’s opinions and recommendations are non-binding, they carry substantial reputational weight.

In a statement, India’s mission said its delegation had “highlighted our pluralism, diversity, scale, and complexity, as well as our constitutional and legal framework and safeguards … as we continue our journey towards ensuring equality, dignity, and opportunity for all Indians.”

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