United Nations human rights experts have called on Indian authorities to release five Indigenous human rights defenders detained in Assam, expressing concern that the arrests could undermine efforts to protect Indigenous communities and discourage peaceful advocacy linked to land and development disputes.
The appeal follows the reported arrest of Pranab Doley, Rajib Pegu, Brijit Kutum, Amit Nag and Bhaskar Saikia by Assam Police in connection with protests held on 29 June 2026 over a proposed luxury tourism project in Inglay Pathar, near Kaziranga National Park. According to the information cited by the UN experts, the project is linked to an agreement between the Assam Government and Juniper Hotels and is associated with the Hyatt group.
In a statement issued on the matter, the experts said they were deeply concerned by reports that the five Indigenous human rights defenders had been deprived of their liberty because of their peaceful advocacy on behalf of Indigenous communities and the protection of their lands and rights. They warned that arrests and prosecutions in such circumstances could have a chilling effect on civic space by discouraging others from raising concerns about alleged abuses affecting Indigenous Peoples.
The detention comes against the backdrop of broader international concerns about the treatment of Indigenous communities and those who advocate on their behalf in the context of business and development projects. The experts referred to the findings of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, which recently reported that threats, arrests, surveillance, retaliation and legal harassment can undermine the safety of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous human rights defenders, limiting their ability to participate freely in decision-making processes related to business activities.
Reiterating international human rights principles, the experts said states have a responsibility to ensure that human rights defenders are able to protect, defend and promote human rights without intimidation, reprisals or criminalisation. They stressed that individuals engaged in legitimate human rights work should be able to carry out their activities safely and without fear of legal harassment linked to peaceful advocacy.
The experts also expressed concern over reports that the local police unit involved in the arrests has previously faced allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. They urged authorities to ensure that all detained human rights defenders are treated with dignity throughout their detention and that their rights are fully protected while any legal proceedings continue.
Calling for immediate action, the experts said the five defenders should be released if their detention is solely connected to the peaceful exercise of their rights. They further urged Indian authorities to ensure that any criminal proceedings comply fully with international human rights standards.
Beyond the arrests, the experts also addressed the broader dispute surrounding the proposed tourism development. They called on authorities to suspend any land acquisition or development activities until affected Indigenous communities have been meaningfully consulted and their free, prior and informed consent has been obtained, reflecting principles recognised in international human rights frameworks concerning Indigenous Peoples.
The statement also highlighted the responsibilities of private businesses under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The experts recalled that companies have a responsibility to respect human rights by identifying, preventing and addressing adverse impacts on Indigenous Peoples and by ensuring that individuals who raise concerns are not subjected to reprisals because of their advocacy.
In addition to urging action in the current case, the experts encouraged India to strengthen its cooperation with the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures, including by accepting pending requests for country visits by mandate holders. They also confirmed that they have already contacted the Government of India regarding the arrests, placing the issue within the framework of ongoing engagement between UN human rights mechanisms and the Indian authorities.
