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Permanent Mission of India, Geneva condemned the stand of the United Nations, Geneva calling the allegation of Judicial Harassment against Rana Ayub “baseless” and suggested UN Geneva to be objective and accurately informed.

The United Nations, Geneva through its tweet recently suggested Indian authorities to thoroughly investigate the alleged, "Relentless misogynistic and sectarian attacks online against journalist Rana Ayyub”. In addition to this, UN Geneva further said that the Indian authorities must ensure that the alleged judicial harassment against Ayyub is brought to an end. 

Responding to this PMI, Geneva tweeted, "Allegations of so-called judicial harassment are baseless & unwarranted”. The tweet further stated that, "India upholds the rule of law, but is equally clear that no one is above the law. We expect SRs to be objective & accurately informed. Advancing a misleading narrative only tarnishes the UN, Geneva's reputation."

The UN human rights experts Irene Khan and Mary Lawlor from the Special Procedures body of the Human Rights Council in its report on the website of Office of the High Commissioner, Human Rights, UN stated that "Independent investigative journalist and woman human rights defender Rana Ayyub continues to be the victim of intensifying attacks and threats online by far-right Hindu nationalist groups."

The experts have alleged, "the attacks as being a result of her reporting on issues affecting minority Muslims in the country, her criticism of the Government for its handling of the pandemic and her comments on the recent ban on hijabs in schools and colleges in Karnataka."

However, the disclaimer just below the report said, "The Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity."

An FIR filed in Uttar Pradesh against Ayyub alleged that she misappropriated the funds collected through an online crowdfunding website for the purpose of relief, however, she allegedly diverted the funds collected.

In furtherance to this, the Enforcement Directorate recently attached Rs. 1.77 Crores from Ayyub stating, "proceeds of crime are quantified as Rs.1,77,27,704 and interest generated upon FD of Rs 50 lakh"

"Ms. Rana Ayyub also created a Fixed Deposit of Rs 50 lakh from funds raised on Ketto and subsequently did not utilize these for relief works," ED further added.

[Sources: Twitter, ANI]