Amnesty international condemns violence against youth in India
Global human rights organization Amnesty International has strongly condemned the use of force against young people in India, expressing serious concern over reports of violence during recent demonstrations. The organization has urged Indian authorities, particularly the police, to immediately stop using excessive force against peaceful protesters and to uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under international human rights law.
In a statement, Amnesty International said it was deeply concerned about the suppression of peaceful dissent in India. According to the organization, young demonstrators exercising their right to express their opinions were met with unnecessary and excessive force by law enforcement agencies. Amnesty stressed that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential democratic freedoms that must be protected, not restricted.
The human rights group further stated that authorities imposed several measures to prevent protesters from reaching the Parliament House, where many intended to demonstrate peacefully. Barricades were reportedly erected across key routes leading to the area, limiting public movement and restricting access to the protest site. Such actions, Amnesty argued, hindered citizens’ ability to exercise their democratic rights and raised concerns about the government’s handling of peaceful public gatherings.
Amnesty International also criticized the suspension of public services during the protests. According to the organization, metro services were disrupted and mobile internet access was temporarily shut down in several areas. The group noted that internet shutdowns and transport restrictions not only affect demonstrators but also disrupt the daily lives of ordinary citizens, limiting communication, access to information, and emergency services. Amnesty has repeatedly argued that blanket internet restrictions are inconsistent with international human rights standards and should only be used under exceptional and legally justified circumstances.
The organization emphasized that the use of batons (lathi charge), tear gas shelling, and other crowd-control measures should always comply with the principles of necessity, legality, and proportionality. It maintained that law enforcement officials should prioritize dialogue and de-escalation over the use of force, especially when dealing with peaceful assemblies.
Amnesty International has called on the Indian government to conduct an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into allegations of excessive police force, including reports of baton charges and shelling against protesters. The organization said that any officials found responsible for violating human rights should be held accountable through transparent legal processes.
The human rights body reiterated that governments have a responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens, including young people who participate in peaceful demonstrations. It urged Indian authorities to respect freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and access to information while ensuring that policing practices remain consistent with international human rights obligations.
Amnesty International concluded by emphasizing that safeguarding democratic freedoms is essential for maintaining public trust and strengthening the rule of law. The organization called on Indian authorities to take immediate steps to protect the rights of peaceful protesters, ensure accountability for any abuses, and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
