India on Wednesday (August 26) rejected the observations made by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, calling the remarks "politically motivated" and "highly malicious".&nbsp;The Ministry of External Affairs said it had taken note of the observations issued after India's 11th periodic review under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The review took place in Geneva on August 11 and 12.&nbsp;The MEA said the review was a routine treaty body exercise and India took part in it with a constructive approach. It also stressed that the country remains firmly committed to fighting racial discrimination.&nbsp;During the review, India highlighted its constitutional safeguards, legal framework and pluralistic character. The delegation also pointed to its continued efforts to protect disadvantaged communities.&nbsp;"While we will respond to the Committee's observations through the established procedure, the inter-Ministerial delegation, which was led by the Solicitor General of India, Shri Tushar Mehta, had already rejected the sweeping generalisations, unsubstantiated allegations, or tendency to exceed the Convention's mandate during the review meeting," the MEA stated.&nbsp;The ministry further said, "India rejects any politically motivated highly malicious references in the report with all the contempt that it deserves."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepal-flash-flood-fury-8-dead-105-indians-missing-villages-submerged-bridges-swept-away-video-1787739518059">Nepal flash flood fury: 8 dead, 105 Indians missing; villages submerged, bridges swept away | VIDEO</a><h3>MEA responds after UN committee raises concerns</h3>The MEA response came after the UN committee raised concerns over reports alleging "large-scale violations" by law enforcement personnel against ethnic and ethno-religious groups. The concerns also covered Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens.&nbsp;The August 11 and 12 review covered India's 12th and 21st combined periodic reports submitted to CERD in 2023. According to a statement from the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, the discussions covered the framework for implementing ICERD, progress among marginalised groups and policy measures to address prejudice and intolerance.&nbsp;"The Indian delegation highlighted our pluralism; diversity; scale and complexity; constitutional and legal framework and safeguards; affirmative action; democratic accountability; judicial remedies; targeted public policy; and sustained socio-economic development, as we continue our journey towards ensuring equality, dignity and opportunity for all Indians," the official statement noted.

India rejected the UN racial discrimination committee’s observations as "politically motivated" and "highly malicious", while defending its constitutional safeguards, legal framework and efforts to protect marginalised communities.

India on Wednesday (August 26) rejected the observations made by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, calling the remarks "politically motivated" and "highly malicious". The Ministry of External Affairs said it had taken note of the observations issued after India's 11th periodic review under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The review took place in Geneva on August 11 and 12. The MEA said the review was a routine treaty body exercise and India took part in it with a constructive approach. It also stressed that the country remains firmly committed to fighting racial discrimination. During the review, India highlighted its constitutional safeguards, legal framework and pluralistic character. The delegation also pointed to its continued efforts to protect disadvantaged communities. "While we will respond to the Committee's observations through the established procedure, the inter-Ministerial delegation, which was led by the Solicitor General of India, Shri Tushar Mehta, had already rejected the sweeping generalisations, unsubstantiated allegations, or tendency to exceed the Convention's mandate during the review meeting," the MEA stated. The ministry further said, "India rejects any politically motivated highly malicious references in the report with all the contempt that it deserves." Also Read: Nepal flash flood fury: 8 dead, 105 Indians missing; villages submerged, bridges swept away | VIDEO MEA responds after UN committee raises concerns The MEA response came after the UN committee raised concerns over reports alleging "large-scale violations" by law enforcement personnel against ethnic and ethno-religious groups. The concerns also covered Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens. The August 11 and 12 review covered India's 12th and 21st combined periodic reports submitted to CERD in 2023. According to a statement from the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, the discussions covered the framework for implementing ICERD, progress among marginalised groups and policy measures to address prejudice and intolerance. "The Indian delegation highlighted our pluralism; diversity; scale and complexity; constitutional and legal framework and safeguards; affirmative action; democratic accountability; judicial remedies; targeted public policy; and sustained socio-economic development, as we continue our journey towards ensuring equality, dignity and opportunity for all Indians," the official statement noted.

India rejected the UN racial discrimination committee’s observations as "politically motivated" and "highly malicious", while defending its constitutional safeguards, legal framework and efforts to protect marginalised communities.

‘Politically motivated’: India rejects ‘highly malicious’ remarks by UN racial discrimination panel

The UN Human Rights Committee Wednesday claimed Italy failed to protect the right to life of more than 200 migrants on a boat that sank in the Mediterranean Sea in 2013.

Italy "failed to respond promptly to various distress calls from the sinking boat, which was carrying more than 400 adults and children," the committee found.

Rome "also failed to explain the delay in dispatching its navy ship, ITS Libra, which was located only about an hour away from the scene".

Three Syrians and a Palestinian, who survived the sinking but lost their families in the tragedy, brought a joint complaint before the committee, a body of 18 independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The incident happened on October 11, 2013. The boat had set out from the Libyan fishing port of Zuwarah, carrying mostly people who had fled from Syria.

The fishing vessel began taking on water after it was fired on by a boat flying a Berber flag when in international waters, 113 kilometres (70 miles) south of the Italian island of Lampedusa and 218 kilometres south of Malta.

Those on board made several calls to the Italian number for emergencies at sea, but were eventually told after 1:00pm that they were in the Maltese search and rescue zone.

After desperate calls to the Maltese authorities, a Maltese patrol boat arrived at 5:50pm. The vessel had already capsized. Malta urgently requested Italian help, and the ITS Libra navy ship, which was nearby, was finally instructed to go to the rescue after 6:00pm.

As a result of the delayed action, more than 200 people, including 60 children, drowned.

The committee urged Italy to conduct an independent and timely investigation, and to prosecute those responsible.

Italy and other countries involved in the tragedy also need to provide effective remedy to those who lost their families in the accident, the committee concluded.

The UN Human Rights Committee Wednesday claimed Italy failed to protect the right to life of more than 200 migrants on a boat that sank in the Mediterranean Sea in 2013.

The UN Human Rights Committee Wednesday claimed Italy failed to protect the right to life of more than 200 migrants on a boat that sank in the Mediterranean Sea in 2013. Italy "failed to respond promptly to various distress calls from the sinking boat, which was carrying more than 400 adults and children," the committee found. Rome "also failed to explain the delay in dispatching its navy ship, ITS Libra, which was located only about an hour away from the scene". Three Syrians and a Palestinian, who survived the sinking but lost their families in the tragedy, brought a joint complaint before the committee, a body of 18 independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The incident happened on October 11, 2013. The boat had set out from the Libyan fishing port of Zuwarah, carrying mostly people who had fled from Syria. The fishing vessel began taking on water after it was fired on by a boat flying a Berber flag when in international waters, 113 kilometres (70 miles) south of the Italian island of Lampedusa and 218 kilometres south of Malta. Those on board made several calls to the Italian number for emergencies at sea, but were eventually told after 1:00pm that they were in the Maltese search and rescue zone. After desperate calls to the Maltese authorities, a Maltese patrol boat arrived at 5:50pm. The vessel had already capsized. Malta urgently requested Italian help, and the ITS Libra navy ship, which was nearby, was finally instructed to go to the rescue after 6:00pm. As a result of the delayed action, more than 200 people, including 60 children, drowned. The committee urged Italy to conduct an independent and timely investigation, and to prosecute those responsible. Italy and other countries involved in the tragedy also need to provide effective remedy to those who lost their families in the accident, the committee concluded.

UN committee says Italy could have saved 200 drowning migrants

The UN Committee on Palestine has lauded India's support to Palestine and said New Delhi can play a proactive role in Israel Palestine peace process.&nbsp;

The chairman of United Nations committee on the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and Senegal's permanent envoy to UN Cheikh Niang also lauded India's increased contribution to UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in an interview with WION's Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal. The committee is in Delhi and met the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Edited excerpts:

 
WION: How do see Indian support for the Palestinian cause?

Cheikh Niang: The support is consistent. India was the first non-Arab country&nbsp;to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and in 1988, India was among the first few countries in the world to recognise the state of Palestine. Through its activity, India has contributed a lot to Palestine by giving technical assistance, scientific assistance in the field of science, technology, art, youth, health, education and culture. Even recently when UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) was in crisis, India decided to increase its participation to the agency increasing its contribution to $5 million, which is hefty.

 
WION: What more you would expect from India?

Cheikh Niang: First of all, I would like to say, we are very happy at the committee at the way India is continuing its support to Palestine. What we have also said to the Indian authorities is that India is a major player in the world. India is a major power and it is respected, political power, economic power and we think India can also play a proactive role in helping restart the process to find peace for Palestine.

 
WION: You said India can help restart the process to find peace for Palestine, how do u see Indian role in the Israel Palestine peace process?

 
Cheikh Niang: India has good relation with Palestine and Israel. This is an asset for India to play a better role. It's a platform, which many countries don't have. With this Indian participation can be more fruitful.&nbsp;

The UN Committee on Palestine has lauded India's support to Palestine and said New Delhi can play a proactive role in Israel Palestine peace process. The chairman of United Nations committee on the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and Senegal's permanent envoy to UN Cheikh Niang also lauded India's increased contribution to UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in an interview with WION's Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal.

The UN Committee on Palestine has lauded India's support to Palestine and said New Delhi can play a proactive role in Israel Palestine peace process. The chairman of United Nations committee on the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and Senegal's permanent envoy to UN Cheikh Niang also lauded India's increased contribution to UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in an interview with WION's Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal. The committee is in Delhi and met the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Edited excerpts: WION: How do see Indian support for the Palestinian cause? Cheikh Niang: The support is consistent. India was the first non-Arab country to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and in 1988, India was among the first few countries in the world to recognise the state of Palestine. Through its activity, India has contributed a lot to Palestine by giving technical assistance, scientific assistance in the field of science, technology, art, youth, health, education and culture. Even recently when UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) was in crisis, India decided to increase its participation to the agency increasing its contribution to $5 million, which is hefty. WION: What more you would expect from India? Cheikh Niang: First of all, I would like to say, we are very happy at the committee at the way India is continuing its support to Palestine. What we have also said to the Indian authorities is that India is a major player in the world. India is a major power and it is respected, political power, economic power and we think India can also play a proactive role in helping restart the process to find peace for Palestine. WION: You said India can help restart the process to find peace for Palestine, how do u see Indian role in the Israel Palestine peace process? Cheikh Niang: India has good relation with Palestine and Israel. This is an asset for India to play a better role. It's a platform, which many countries don't have. With this Indian participation can be more fruitful.

India can play active role in Israel-Palestine peace process, says UN Committee on Palestine 

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‘Politically motivated’: India rejects ‘highly malicious’ remarks by UN racial discrimination panel

UN committee says Italy could have saved 200 drowning migrants

India can play active role in Israel-Palestine peace process, says UN Committee on Palestine