UN joins US, Germany on airing concerns over Indian opposition leader’s arrest
International Desk
A day after India denounced Washington’s call for fairness in lawsuits related to opposition parties as “unwarranted” and “unacceptable”, the UN waded into the controversy with the hopes that “everyone’s rights are protected in India.”
On Thursday, reporters asked Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, about the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of biggest opposition party Congress's bank accounts by Indian authorities a month before the country’s general elections, reports Indian Express.
Dujarric’s reply was: What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair.
The US has twice commented on the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and charges of the freezing of opposition Congress party bank accounts ahead of an election, according to Hindustan Times.
The US, despite strong objection from India and its diplomat being summoned, has said that it “follows these actions [against Kejriwal and Congress] closely” and “encourages fair, transparent, timely legal processes”.
Germany has also aired concerns over Kejriwal’s arrest, but its position has not been as pronounced as US’.
