Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
30th session of the Human Rights Council
(14 September-02 October 2015)
Agenda Item 2: General Debate (14 September 2015)

Statement by H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UN & Other International Organizations

Mr. President,

1. My delegation welcomes the High Commissioner and thanks him for his candid update on the human rights situation in different parts of the world, and the role of his Office.

2.Our leaders will soon be adopting the ambitious Agenda 2030 for Development, reiterating that once again the greatest challenge the humanity faces remains to be the elimination of poverty. The international human rights architecture, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that forms the bedrock of it, seeks freedom, justice and dignity for all. This will remain an illusion as long as large number of people continues to reel under abject poverty.

Mr. President,

3.This Council is close to turning 10. We should reflect on how we are making a difference to the real human rights challenges confronting us. Genuine dialogue and cooperation can help us overcome these challenges and also help us promote true respect for the protection of human rights in a sustained manner.

4.The shocking image of the ‘little boy on the beach’ should be a reminder of where our priorities should lie. Last year, my delegation had piloted a Presidential Statement (PRST) drawing the attention of this Council to the plight of the people on high seas. Tragic incidents during the last one year demonstrates that the international community has collectively failed to do anything more than paying lip service to this grave and deteriorating human rights and humanitarian crisis. We share the frustration of the High Commissioner on this issue and hope the Council gives the urgent attention it deserves.

Mr. President,

5.The Council and its Mechanisms should strive to function in a non-politicized, non-confrontational and transparent manner, consistent with their founding mandates and uphold the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. Otherwise we risk repeating the mistakes of the past.

6.We remain concerned at the dire financial situation of OHCHR and its unhealthy dependence on extra-budgetary resources. We believe that the apparent ‘budget-mandate gap’ is due to existence of dual channels of programming and budgeting, i.e., Programme 20 and OHCHR Strategic Management Plan. There is a need for greater synergy and coherence between these processes. The conclusions and recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit in this regard remain pertinent.

7.We appreciate the High Commissioner for updating us on his ‘Change Initiative’ aimed at streamlining the organizational structure and improving the efficiency of OHCHR. We note the enhanced focus on field level technical assistance. We hope the ensuing reallocation of resources will not unduly affect priority work streams like the right to development.  We look forward to being consulted on the forthcoming mid-term review of OHCHR Management Plan 2014-2017.

Mr. President,

8. In the absence of an advance copy of the High Commissioner’s Statement, the ability of the Members of Council to constructively contribute to this interactive dialogue is significantly hampered. My delegation, once again, reiterates its request to the High Commissioner, this time through you Mr. President, to restore the earlier practice of sharing his statement well in time.

9.India remains committed to constructively engage with the High Commissioner and his Office in the successful discharge of his mandate.

Thank you Mr. President.

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