UN Rights chief praises India’s civil society

Mar 02, 2026

Geneva (Switzerland), March 02 (ANI): Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, praised the vibrancy of India’s civil society after his recent visit, calling it a vital pillar of democratic life and important for protecting minority rights. He said it is crucial that civic space be strongly defended so that civil society can work without hindrance. Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Türk also highlighted troubling developments globally. He noted that lawyers and human rights defenders in Pakistan have been jailed over critical social media posts, expressed regret over restrictions on civic space in Georgia, and welcomed the release of some detainees in Venezuela while urging authorities to free others still in detention.