Photo: Maktoob Media
New Delhi: United Nations experts on Saturday voiced concern over the arrest and detention of five Indigenous human rights defenders, including Pranab Doley, in Assam, saying the case could undermine the legitimate work of those advocating for the rights of Indigenous communities in matters related to business activities.
The experts said they were concerned by reports that the activists had been detained in connection with their peaceful advocacy for Indigenous land and rights. They warned that such arrests and prosecutions could create a chilling effect on civic space and discourage others from speaking out against alleged rights violations, Maktoob Media reported.
According to the experts, Assam Police arrested Pranab Doley, Rajib Pegu, Brijit Kutum, Amit Nag and Bhaskar Saikia in connection with protests held on June 29, 2026, against the proposed construction of a luxury tourism project at Inglay Pathar near Kaziranga National Park. The project is reportedly linked to an agreement between the Assam government and Juniper Hotels and is associated with the Hyatt group.
Referring to a recent report by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the experts noted that threats, arrests, surveillance, reprisals and legal harassment could undermine the safety of Indigenous Peoples and human rights defenders, limiting their ability to participate freely in decisions related to business activities.
They further stated that governments have a responsibility to ensure that human rights defenders can carry out their work safely and exercise their rights without fear of intimidation, retaliation or criminalisation.
The experts also expressed concern over reports alleging that the local police involved in the arrests had previously faced accusations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. They urged the authorities to ensure that the detained activists are treated with dignity and that their rights are fully protected.
They called for the immediate release of the detained defenders if their detention was solely linked to the peaceful exercise of their rights. The experts also urged authorities to ensure that any criminal proceedings comply with international human rights standards and to suspend land acquisition or development activities until affected Indigenous communities have been meaningfully consulted and their free, prior and informed consent has been obtained.
The experts, recalling the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, said businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights by identifying, preventing and addressing adverse impacts on Indigenous Peoples and making sure that those raising concerns are not subjected to reprisals.
The experts also urged India to deepen its engagement with the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures by accepting pending requests from mandate holders seeking official country visits.