International Rights Groups Demand Release of Umar Khalid in Delhi Riotsโฃ case
new Delhi -โฃ A โcoalition of seven global human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, issued a joint statement on September 13, 2025, calling for the immediate release of activist Umar Khalid, who has been detained in connection with the โ2020 Delhiโ riots. The groups cite concerns over the prolonged detention and alleged politicallyโข motivated charges against Khalid, arguing his imprisonment violates fundamental โฃrightsโ to freedom of expression and peaceful โassembly.
The call for Khalid’s โrelease underscores growing international scrutiny of India’s handling of the Delhi riots investigations and the broader crackdown on dissent.Khalid, a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar and vocal โcritic of โgovernment policies, was arrested in September 2020 and accused of playing a key role in orchestrating the violence. His trial remains ongoing, withโค authorities alleging he delivered inflammatory speeches that incited the riots. The rights organizations contend the โevidence โagainst Khalid is weak and based on unsubstantiated claims,and that his detention is part of a pattern of targeting human rights defenders and activists.
Amnesty International, alongside organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Front Line Defenders, and the International Commission of Jurists, โขdetailed concerns about the application of โstringent anti-terrorism laws in Khalid’s case. They argue the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act โฃ(UAPA) has been misused to suppress peaceful protest and stifle critical voices.โค The groups emphasized the importance of due process and โฃa fair trial, highlighting delays in theโค proceedings and restrictions on Khalid’s access to legal counsel.
The 2020 Delhi riots erupted in February, resulting in at least 53 deaths, primarily in the northeast part of the city. the violence followed protests against โthe citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register ofโ Citizens (NRC). Investigations into the โriots have been contentious, with accusations of bias and selective targeting of individuals from the Muslim community.โ
The rights groups’ statement urges โฃIndian authorities to review Khalid’s case, ensure a transparentโฃ and impartial โinvestigation into the riots, and uphold their commitments to international human rights standards. They also call for โคthe release of other activists and journalists detained in connection with the protests and the riots. The organizations plan to continue monitoring the case and advocating for Khalid’s freedom.
