U.N. Human Rights Chief goes to Supreme Court against CAA

As India continues to boil over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHRC) has moved the Indian Supreme Court over the legislation.

The UNHRC has moved an intervention application in the Supreme Court over the CAA. This means that the global human rights body wants to be made a party in the existing pleas filed against the CAA in the SC.

Reacting to the move, India maintained that the CAA is an "internal matter". The MEA asserted that the CAA is an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws.

Releasing a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "MEA: Our Permanent Mission in Geneva was informed yesterday evening by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that her Office had filed an Intervention Application in the Supreme Court of India with respect to the Citizenship Amendment Act."

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India's sovereignty,".

India is clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of its constitutional values, Kumar 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 the 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.

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