India: UN rights office urges ‘maximum restraint’ in ongoing protests

The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) has called on authorities and protesters in India to “exercise maximum restraint” amidst ongoing protests by farmers.

In a Tweet on Friday, OHCHR also highlighted the need for equitable solutions with due respect for human rights.

"The rights to peaceful assembly and expression should be protected both offline and online", the office said.

"It is crucial to find equitable solutions with due respect to human rights for all", it added.

According to media reports, thousands of farmers, including women and the elderly, have been protesting on the outskirts of Delhi for over two months, against reforms to agriculture laws. They came with tractors and lorries and set up camps along the highways, blocking major arteries into the city.

Though protests started off largely peacefully, violence flared on 26 January when some farmers drove into the city, clashing with security forces. One protester was reportedly killed and more than 300 police personnel wounded.

Media reports added that internet services were shut off in areas where the protesters were camped in, and barricades set up by authorities.

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