The United Nations has expressed concern over reports of increased hate speech and discrimination against minority communities in India.

In a statement, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng said Indian Citizenship Amendment Act is not extended to all groups including Muslims and it is contrary to India’s obligations under international human rights law in particular on non-discrimination.

The UN Special Adviser said statements such as those expressed by Member of Parliament Subramanian Swamy that all people are not equal and that Muslims are not in an ‘equal category’ as others are extremely alarming.

He also expressed concern over reports that demonstrations against the law have resulted in the injury and death of civilians, attacks on religious sites, as well as an increase in expressions of hate against India’s Muslim community.