General Statement delivered by India during the consideration of the draft resolution A/HRC/28/L.25, titled 'Prevention of Genocide', March 27, 2015 General Statement delivered by India during the consideration of the draft resolution A/HRC/28/L.25,..

General Statement delivered by India during the consideration of the draft resolution A/HRC/28/L.25, titled 'Prevention of Genocide', March 27, 2015

28th Session of the Human Rights Council

(2-27 March 2015)

Consideration of the draft resolution A/HRC/28/L.25 (as orally revised) on the Prevention of Genocide

General Statement by India

Mr. President,

1. My delegation takes the floor to explain our position on the amendment to draft resolution A/HRC/28/L.25/orally revised, titled ‘Prevention of Genocide’ as contained in the document L.38.

 

2. Firstly, we thank Armenia for tabling this important resolution. We emphasize that genocide as recognised in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is an odious scourge that has inflicted great losses on humanity.  In view of the rights involved in the Convention, we believe that the legal obligations to refrain from genocide are recognised as erga omnes.

 

3. We also convey our appreciation to Armenia for making significant amendments to the draft resolution.

 

Mr. President,

4. The Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has the mandate to address various aspects related to the crime of genocide. We believe that the mandate and functioning of the Special Adviser shall be upheld, in particular his role as an early warning mechanism to prevent potential situations that could result in genocide. Our support to the amendment in OP17 is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the work of the Special Adviser and to avoid inadvertent dilution of the mandate in any manner.

 

5. We also subscribe to the reasons highlighted by Cuba on the need to delink the two offices. Hence, we will be voting in favour of the document L.38 that seeks to amend OP17 of L.25.

 

Thank you.