UN Rights Chief Moves Supreme Court Against CAA, Govt Says India's 'Internal Matter'

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has filed an intervention in the Supreme Court on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Reacting to this, the MEA asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws. "Our Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed yesterday evening by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Michelle Bachelet) that her office had filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court of India in respect to the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act,” news agency PTI quoted MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar as saying.

“We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India’s sovereignty,” he said.

“It is reflective of our long standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India,” he said.

“India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We all have utmost respect for and full trust in our independent judiciary. We are confident that our sound and legally sustainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court,” he said.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been one the most talked about issues in the country for months now. The passage of the contentious act created tensions in different parts of the country. Starting from Assam, Uttar Pradesh to New Delhi, violent protests erupted, culminating into huge damage of public properties. 

The act aims to amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who have lived in India without proper documents. According to the act those who have been living here will be granted fast track Indian citizenship in six years. So far 12 years of residence has been the standard eligibility requirement for naturalisation.

(With Agency Inputs)