UNHRC head has compromised its impartiality: Prasad

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein had "compromised" the dignity and impartiality of the UNHCR, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Friday.

Prasad's observation came in response to a query about the recent United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) report on alleged human rights violation in Kashmir and Pakistani-administered Kashmir and recommending an international probe into it.

"This is a malafide report, trying to deliberately defend Pakistan. And let me say that the UN Human Rights High Commissioner has acted irresponsibly.

"The reports by UN bodies have a credibility and dignity in the world. He (Al Hussein) has compromised the essence of dignity and impartiality of the human rights group," Prasad said.

The Minister also added that the "record" of the UNHCR head was "known to the people".

The 49-page report released on June 14 by the Office of the Human Rights High Commissioner said there was a "situation of chronic impunity for violations committed by security forces" and listed human rights violations on both sides of the Line of Control.

India rejected the report asserting that it "is overtly prejudiced and seeks to build a false narrative".

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar dismissed it as "a selective compilation of largely unverified information."

--IANS

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