India: Delhi police must facilitate right to peaceful protest amid lockdown-like restrictions in capital
Responding to the sweeping and disproportionate restrictions imposed by the Delhi Police and the Government of India ahead of planned protests in the capital on Saturday 10 October, Aakar Patel, Chair of Board, Amnesty International India, said:
“Peaceful protesters must be able to demand accountability from those in power without facing intimidation, arbitrary detention, or sweeping restrictions on their freedoms.
“From denying permission for a peaceful demonstration, halting all Delhi-bound trains, and sealing the city’s borders, to issuing an internet suspension order near the protest site, and pre-emptively arresting activists – India’s authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to prevent this march from happening. The right to protest is protected in India’s constitution. The authorities must immediately lift all these arbitrary restrictions, which violate India’s obligations under international law. Demonstrations should not depend on obtaining prior permission from the police. At most, organisers may be expected to notify the authorities of their plans.