India slams Swiss govt's remarks on minorities

In strong rebuttal to Switzerland at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), India has condemned the comments made by the Swiss delegation on the treatment of minorities in India. Terming it ‘surprising, shallow, and ill-informed,’ India expressed its displeasure during the General Debate on the oral update by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Speaking at the Council, Switzerland called on India to take stronger action to safeguard the rights of minorities. The Swiss delegate also urged New Delhi to “take effective measures to protect the minorities and uphold the rights to the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media.”

Responding on behalf of India, Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, rejected the Swiss statement and said: