On 17 July 2026 UN experts expressed concern over the arrest and detention of five Indigenous human rights defenders in Assam, warning that the charges against them could undermine the legitimate work of those defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the context of business activities.
“We are deeply concerned by reports that Indigenous human rights defenders have been deprived of their liberty in connection with their peaceful advocacy on behalf of Indigenous communities’ lands and rights,” the experts said. “Such arrests and prosecutions can have a chilling effect on civic space and discourage others from speaking out against abuses.”
Assam Police reportedly arrested Pranab Doley, Rajib Pegu, Brijit Kutum, Amit Nag and Bhaskar Saikia in connection with protests on 29 June 2026 concerning the planned construction of a luxury tourism project in Inglay Pathar, near Kaziranga National Park. The project is reportedly linked to an agreement between the Assam Government and Juniper Hotels, and associated with the Hyatt group.
In its recent report, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights noted that threats, arrests, surveillance, retaliation and legal harassment can undermine the safety and ability of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous human rights defenders to participate freely in processes concerning business activities.
“States must ensure human rights defenders are able to exercise their right to protect, defend and promote human rights and carry out their work safely and without fear of intimidation, reprisals or criminalisation,” the experts said.
They expressed concern regarding reports that the local police responsible for these arrests have previously been associated with allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and urged authorities to ensure that all detained human rights defenders are treated with dignity and that their rights are fully protected.
The experts called for the immediate release of the detained defenders if their detention is linked solely to the peaceful exercise of their rights, urged authorities to ensure any criminal proceedings fully comply with international human rights standards, and called on authorities to suspend any land acquisition or development until affected Indigenous communities have been meaningfully consulted and their free, prior and informed consent has been obtained.
*The experts:
- Robert Mccorquodale (Chairperson), Fernanda Hopenhaym (Vice-Chairperson), Lyra Jakulevičienė, Damilola Olawuyi and Pichamon Yeophantong, the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises;
- Irene Khan, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
- Albert K. Barume, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples;
- Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;
- Andrea Bolaños Vargas, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/when-assam-arrests-invoke-global-concern-1503618645.html
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 